Pro-life official decries passage of 'misguided' stem-cell bill

Published: 2007-01-12

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A pro-life official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops criticized House passage Jan. 11 of a bill that would expand federal funding of stem-cell research that involves the destruction of human embryos, but expressed confidence that an expected presidential veto of the "misguided and unethical legislation" would stand. Richard Doerflinger, deputy director of the bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, said in a statement that the 253-174 vote indicated that there were not enough votes to override the veto that President George W. Bush has promised. The bill now goes to the Senate for a vote; if it passes there, it will be sent to the White House for action by Bush. But Doerflinger said both houses of Congress should turn their attention "to stem-cell research that poses no moral problem -- constructive research that is already beginning to help patients with dozens of conditions in clinical trials." He added, "Unlike embryonic stem-cell research, research using stem cells from adult tissue, umbilical-cord blood, amniotic fluid and other sources is showing enormous promise and is likely to produce new treatments for patients now living."

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