Cloning, stem-cell research need better understanding, says ethicist

Published: 2003-10-02

MINNEAPOLIS (CNS) -- The issues of cloning and stem-cell research are clouded in language that is easily misunderstood, said a priest who is a research ethicist with the National Catholic Bioethics Center near Boston. "We are in a stage of doublespeak to the hilt," said ethicist Father Alfred Cioffi during the 51st convention of the National Council of Catholic Women Sept. 27-30 in Minneapolis. He warned participants that unless opponents of cloning and stem-cell research respond quickly and intelligently they will lose the debate. "We must, as taxpayers and citizens, participate in the debate in Congress, or else we will lose by default," said Father Cioffi, who is pursuing a doctorate in genetics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., and has a doctorate in moral theology from Gregorian University in Rome.

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