Company Press Release
ABAC Approaches NBAC With Ethical Solutions
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 1999 /PRNewswire/ -- In a letter concerning in
vitro
fertilization, human embryos and stem cell research, the American
Bioethics
Advisory Commission has asked Dr. Harold T. Shapiro, chairman of the
National Bioethics Advisory Commission, to consider the ``innate dignity
and unique nature of all human beings'' in the search for moral and
ethical ways to advance medical technology, cure diseases and alleviate
suffering.
``As a commission of doctors in varying fields, lawyers, philosophers
and theologians, the ABAC is concerned with the moral and ethical
treatment of all human beings -- even at the embryonic level,'' said Fr.
Joseph Howard, ABAC's executive director.
``Our primary concern with in vitro fertilization and stem cell research
is that human embryos have become objects and instruments of
experimentation. In vitro fertilization is unethical because it violates
the Natural Law and the moral rights of embryonic children.
Additionally, stem cell research that uses cells obtained from the inner
cell mass of the blastocyst (embryo) results in the direct destruction
of a living human being every time,'' he said.
The ABAC has asked the NBAC to discontinue in vitro fertilization and to
use only those stem cells obtained from cord blood, which contains an
abundance of ``pluripotent, mesodermal'' cells which could potentially
meet the same scientific needs as those cells taken from embryos. The
harvesting of cord blood would not cause death or harm to any
individual.
``Considering the abundance of cells in cord blood, it is probable that
pluripotent cells exist which may differentiate into muscle, bone and
connective tissue cells,'' Fr. Howard said.
Fr. Howard said the ABAC hopes to maintain an open and ongoing dialogue
with the NBAC in order to find ethical means of solving disorders like
Parkinson's Disease, diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease.
SOURCE: American Bioethics Advisory Commission
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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