In Theory:

The nation’s Catholic bishops followed through on their desire to put forward an initial statement opposing embryonic stem cell research. They voted almost unanimously — 191 to 1 — to approve the statement at their annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. The seven-page policy statement from the Committee on Pro-Life Activities calls embryonic stem cell research “a gravely immoral act” that crosses a “fundamental moral line” by treating human beings as mere objects of research. Do you feel this is an accurate description of the research?

I’m not so sure that the statement put forward by the nation’s Catholic bishops presents an accurate description of embryonic stem cell research. Nonetheless, it seems to me that this type of research should be discontinued, especially if there are other sources for obtaining stem cells.

Stem cell research offers a great deal of hope for medical advancement because the cells in question are capable of becoming different kinds of cells or tissues in the human body.

Hence, they have the potential of curing such debilitating diseases as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as providing important scientific data on embryonic development.

These cells are obtained from three main sources: adult cells, cord cells and embryonic cells. It’s the latter that has generated so much controversy. The extraction of embryonic stem cells requires the destruction of the human embryo, an act that the Catholic Church regards as murder since they consider the embryo a human being.

I must admit, I don’t necessarily consider an embryo a human being in the fullest sense of the word. I see it as a potential human being. But that fact alone still compels me to oppose harvesting embryonic stem cells because it means taking the life of a potential human being. I believe people of faith are called to protect the innocent and vulnerable as well as to respect the sanctity of human life.

In my opinion, it’s not necessary to use embryonic stem cells for research purposes. Stem cells can be obtained from other sources, such as bone marrow or umbilical cords. And contrary to what some may say, recent research suggests that these stem cells are just as potent and viable as embryonic stem cells.

CHAPLAIN AL GARCILAZO

Glendale Adventist Medical Center