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Science and religion learn to coexist Institutions show two departments have little conflict David Brand Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: News While members of many religious institutions strongly oppose stem cell research, at Harvard University -- which houses one of the nation's leading stem cell institutions as well as a premier divinity school -- there is minimal conflict of interest for theology workers, said Philip Clayton, a visiting professor of Science and Religion at Harvard's Divinity School. "More gains are to be accomplished by supporting [stem cell research] than opposing it," Clayton stressed, "Religion is on the side of what benefits humanity, not what contrasts it." While Divinity School spokesman Jonathan Beasley was unwilling to discuss the Harvard Divinity School's official stance on the issue of stem cell research, Clayton said the school has "no specific position." "Some may harbor private opposition . . . but all public statements have been positive," he said. "The major concern is awareness of the ethical issues, not a black and white forbidding of research." This vote of support is important to Harvard University, which is one of the leading stem cell research institutions in the nation. According to university spokesman B.D. Colen, this initiative is because of strong "support of the school and the community." Colen said there has been no vocal opposition from faculty and staff. Along with strong internal support is an elaborate Harvard-affiliated collective of 11 institutions, 119 laboratories and 750 scientists working closely with stem cells. "This is the biggest collection of experts in any place in various fields of stem cell research in the world," Colen said, adding that the world's top scientists are attracted to the university because of its powerful "influence in various institutions and hospitals." Yet, even with vocal support from within Harvard and the surrounding area, lack of funding for stem cell research is still an obstacle that institutions must overcome. In July, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would provide federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn