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Patrick R. Brannigan
Executive
Director
October 19, 2006
Statement of the
Human Stem Cell Research (A-2828)
The
New Jersey Catholic Conference opposes State general obligation bonds for the
purpose of financing the costs of embryonic stem cell research or funding
research facilities for the conduct of embryonic stem cell research.
In testimony
over the years by my predecessor William Bolan, the New Jersey Catholic
Conference has consistently opposed human embryonic stem cell research
legislation on the basis that the creation and destruction of human embryonic
stem cells violate the sanctity of human life.
A fundamental tenet of
Catholic social teaching is that each human life is sacred. Scripture calls us to have a special concern
for the vulnerable whether they be young, old, disabled, poor, hungry,
homeless, physically ill, mentally ill or unborn.
The sanctity of human life, which begins at conception, is the gift of a
loving God. We support the right to life
of unborn children because they are fully human. We oppose experimentation on, and utilization
of, unborn children, their tissues, and embryonic stem cells.
However, we do advocate the use of adult (non-embryonic) stem cells that
have been shown to offer promise in the fight to eradicate heartbreaking
diseases that are debilitating and life-threatening.
Adult (non-embryonic) stem cells come from adult tissue, placentas, or
umbilical cord blood and can be retrieved without harming the donor. Adult (non-embryonic) stem cells have helped
thousands of patients, and hold much promise for the future.
The Catholic
Conference is pleased to have worked with Assemblymen Neil Cohen and Louis
Greenwald in an effort to encourage umbilical cord and placental blood
donation. Fifteen New Jersey Catholic
Hospitals, hundreds of Catholic parishes, the Catholic Health Association and
all of
Representing the Archdiocese of Newark,
Diocese of Camden, Diocese of Metuchen,
Diocese of
Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese