United States: The human being is not mere raw material
In an open letter dated July 13, Cardinal William Keeler, spokesman of the American Bishops Conference for ethical issues, urged the members of the Senate to reject the bill authorizing State finance of embryonic stem cell research.
“Technical progress that makes humans themselves into mere raw material is in fact a regress in our humanity,” stated the Cardinal. The Catholic Church is opposed to research on stem cells involving the killing of embryos, he said, adding that human life started at conception.
On July 18, the Senate adopted by a majority the terms of the law on federal funding for research on stem cells of embryos conceived in vitro.
On July 19, President George Bush used his power of veto at the Senate vote. But he also signed two laws passed by the Senate: the first one promoting research on stem cells other than those from embryonic cells, and the second banning the use of aborted fetuses for research.
In order to annul the presidential veto, congress must vote for the legislative text by a two third majority, unlikely according to observers. In a press release the American Catholic Bishops Conference expressed its profound gratitude for the U.S. President’s decision to use his power of veto.
“The president believes strongly that for the purpose of research it’s inappropriate for the federal government to finance something that many people consider murder,” stated Tony Snow, a White House spokesman. This law has overstepped “a moral boundary which our society must respect.”
The scientists who were cherishing the hope of pursuing their research with the manna of federal funding, and thus allowing the cure for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, have described George Bush as “hypocritical, old-fashioned and selfish.”
