Washington D.C., Jun 10, 2004 / 22:00 pm
United States senators, who support embryonic stem-cell research, have become more insistent about legalizing the controversial research after the recent death of President Ronald Reagan. However, Catholic League president William Donohue cautions against any change in the current policy on embryonic stem-cell research.
The day before former President Ronald Reagan died, 58 senators sent a letter to President George W. Bush, urging him to permit embryonic stem-cell research. The controversial research has been promoted as promising in the search for a cure for a number of illnesses, including Parkinson’s, from which President Reagan suffered.
The senators are now insisting that, with the death of President Reagan, the issue has taken on greater urgency. They also cite the support Nancy Reagan has shown for embryonic stem-cell research in recent years, speaking publicly in favor of the cause as well.
“Since every person ever born began as an embryo, and since embryonic stem-cell research is predicated on the acknowledgement that embryos are human – otherwise the research would be meaningless – it is incumbent that our society not sanction it,” said Donohue in a press release.
Donohue pointed out that, on the same day that the 58 senators submitted their letter, Pope John Paul II admonished U.S. citizens to reject such things as abortion, same sex unions, pornography and prostitution as “self-centered demands.”
“The pope, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, might arguably have benefited from embryonic stem-cell research had it been previously allowed,” said Donohue. “But the Holy Father recognizes, as all of us should, that it is immoral for one person to have his life extended at the expense of someone else’s right to life.”
The league also underlined out that one of the signatories was Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
President Reagan’s state funeral was held today in Washington.
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