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Pro-Life Leaders Urge Sec. Thompson to Stand Firm Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research P.R.Newswire, 6/14/2001 15:29 WASHINGTON, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Family and religious leaders delivered a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson today, urging him to take an unequivocal position in defense of the sanctity of human life. The letter asks Sec. Thompson to oppose the use of stem cell research that requires the destruction of embryonic human beings. The two-page letter dated June 14, 2001, which follows, is signed by: Kenneth L. Connor - Family Research Council James Dobson - Focus on the Family Bill Bennett - Empower America Chuck Colson - Prison Fellowship Beverly LaHaye - Concerned Women for America Robert Best - Culture of Life Foundation D. James Kennedy - Coral Ridge Ministries Bill Bright - Campus Crusade for Christ Raymond L. Flynn - Catholic Alliance Austin Ruse - Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute Father Richard John Neuhaus - Institute on Religion & Public Life Father Frank Pavone - Priests for Life Sam Casey - Christian Legal Defense Fund Robert Royal - Faith & Reason Institute This week's media coverage of the difficult decisions regarding embryonic stem cell research facing the administration has prompted this letter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and President Bush as you conclude the review you have conducted on the various and complicated aspects of stem cell research. We are particularly mindful, Mr. Secretary, that the greater weight of the decision to use embryonic stem cells rests squarely on your shoulders, a heavy burden to be sure. Doubtless President Bush will look to you more so than any other for advice and counsel. Your leadership on this most important ethical question will provide guidance on scientific experimentation at one of the most critical turning points in human history. For this reason, we offer the clear thinking of two world leaders. The first is our President, who said in a recent letter to the Culture of Life Foundation, "I oppose federal funding for stem cell research that involves destroying living human embryos." "I support innovative medical research on life-threatening and debilitating diseases, including promising research on stem cells from adult tissue." The President is correct. The debate before you is not about "stem cell research" per se. We support medical research that does not utilize human stem cells obtained from sources that do not require the destruction of human embryos. The words of Pope John Paul II provide the second quote. In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, The Pontiff addresses specifically the responsibility towards life of those who serve in public office. "(T)he use of human embryos or fetuses as an object of experimentation constitutes a crime against their dignity as human beings who have a right to the same respect owed to a child once born, just as to every person." Some have maintained that frozen embryos are not alive. This is misleading. It is precisely because such embryos are living that their stem cells are attractive for research. Please understand that recent advances in adult stem cell research have made the killing of human embryos unnecessary. All who have subscribed our names below urge you in the strongest possible terms to take an unequivocal position in defense of the sanctity of human life. SOURCE Family Research Council http://www.boston.com/dailynews/165/wash/_Pro_Life_Leaders_Urge_Sec_Tho:.shtml *********** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn