U.S. bishops urge House to reject embryonic stem-cell research bill

Published: 2007-01-10

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops have urged the House of Representatives to reject an embryonic stem-cell bill that would fund research that involves the destruction of human embryos. Instead, they said, Congress should support research that would use available stem cells from adult tissues, cord blood, amniotic fluid and placentas. In a letter dated Jan. 9 and released Jan. 10, Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged House members to "consider the fundamental moral line" they would cross if they approved legislation on embryonic stem-cell research scheduled for a vote Jan. 11. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has included embryonic stem-cell research among the priorities for the first 100 hours of business in the 110th Congress. President George W. Bush vetoed a similar measure in July, and the 109th Congress failed to override the veto. H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, would lift Bush's restrictions and expand federal funding for embryonic-stem cell research.

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