Speakers discuss myths surrounding embryonic stem-cell research

Published: 2006-07-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- During a workshop at the June 22-24 National Right to Life Committee convention in Nashville, speakers discussed misunderstandings about embryonic stem-cell research, saying there are a lot of myths about the success of the research. With regard to embryonic stem-cell research, Richard Doerflinger, deputy director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told convention participants that "it is really a very simple issue. Should we be doing medical research in a way that respects life or in a way that destroys life?" He explained that there is a distinct difference between adult stem-cell and embryonic stem-cell research. Contrary to what many people believe, he said, embryonic stem-cell research is not only unnecessary but also completely ineffective. "Embryonic stem cells, aside from having serious moral problems, tend to form tumors when tested in animals," Doerflinger said. "They are sometimes rejected by the tissues, often are genetically unstable and so they have never been used in a human patient even though they were first isolated and grown in 1997. Embryonic stem cells have been tremendously oversold by many people in the scientific community."

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