Pro-life director supports Arkansas' new umbilical-cord-blood bank

Published: 2007-08-14

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) -- The Respect Life director for the Diocese of Little Rock is hopeful the creation of a newborn umbilical-cord-blood bank in Arkansas will spur on more ethical research and treatments using adult stem cells. At the invitation of state Rep. Jon Woods, Marianne Linane and her secretary, Kathleen McNespey, toured the labs at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock where stem cells are already being used to treat people with cancer and other diseases. Woods, a member of St. Raphael Church in Springdale, was the main sponsor in the House of Representatives for legislation to create the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative, one of the first in the country. Woods' bill was overwhelmingly supported by other senators and representatives and by Dr. Michele Fox, director of cell therapy and transfusion medicine at the university. Linane said the initiative is supported by the Diocese of Little Rock as well because it promotes using nonembryonic stem cells for medical cures. An 11-member commission, to be named by June 2008, will put together a budget and promote the creation of the cord-blood bank.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .