STEM CELL UPDATE
Update on S1471 & A2828:
(Bulletin March 26, 2006)

On Monday, March 13, both houses advanced the plans to create the Stem Cell Institute in New Brunswick, as well research labs in Newark and Camden. The Senate version adds $50 million, for the New Jersey Institute of Technology, to the $200 million already in the bill for a Stem Cell Institute in New Brunswick. The Assembly version does not include the $50 million, keeping the total cost at $200 million. The Times March 14, 2006 the following weeks this column will pose questions and answers on stem cell research.

Why is the Church Opposed to Stem Cell Research Using the Embryo? Because harvesting these stem cells kills the living human embryo. The Church opposes the direct destruction of innocent human life for any purpose, including research.

Is the Church Telling Us to Choose the Lives of the Embryos Over the Lives of Suffering Patients? No. It is calling us to respect both, without discrimination. We must help those who are suffering, but we may not use a good end to justify an evil means. Moreover, treatments that do not require destroying any human life are at least as promising-they are already healing some conditions, and are far closer to healing other conditions than any approach using embryonic stem cells. The choice is not between science and ethics, but between science that is ethically responsible and science that is not.

Contact Governor Corzine at 609-292-6000, Fax 609-292-3454, or email via the website: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html with the message: "I am opposed to legislation which funds construction of the Stem Cell Institute and stem cell research grants."