News Release: Michigan Catholic Conference Official Disappointed with President's Decision

LANSING—Paul A. Long, Vice President, Public Policy for the Michigan Catholic Conference released the following statement regarding President Bush’s announcement on federal funding for stem cell research:

“We are deeply disappointed with President Bush’s decision to allow federal taxpayer funding for embryonic stem cell research. The moral cost of federally funded embryonic stem cell research, and giving the federal government’s imprimatur to a developing science that destroys human life is troubling. Embryonic stem cell research treats human life as a means to an end. The practice goes against the Church’s consistent moral teaching that all human beings are “ends” in and of themselves, and should not be treated with any less dignity in the name of science. The end result of such scientific research, when other agreeable alternatives are available, is tragic.

Basic human dignity dictates that all life, from fertilized egg through natural death, be treated with respect and honor. Embryonic stem cell research fails this fundamental test. Because it does so, the President’s decision to use tax payer funds for this research, no matter how limited, only further escalates the creation of a culture of death.”

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

-- 30 --