California votes in stem cell research, pro-life groups denounce result

Washington D.C., Nov 2, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Californians voted in Proposition 71 yesterday agreeing to grant $3 billion in bonds to the biotech industry to conduct embryonic stem cell research. There will not be any oversight on the research, according to a statement by the Family Research Council, the funds for which are to be used specifically for human cloning and embryo-destructive research.

"California has voted to support embryonic stem cell research jeopardizing both their moral and financial standing," said Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council.

“For the first time,” he continued, “Californians have voted to use their money to finance highly controversial science that intentionally destroys nascent human life and will likely create cloned embryo farms."

"As a country we cannot afford to let this type of egregious disregard for human life to become common and accepted practice,” said Perkins, who added that “there is absolutely no ethical or scientific reason for public funding of embryonic stem cell research.”

“The approval of Proposition 71 diverts scarce resources from the successful adult stem cell research, which has already provided thousands of cures," concluded Perkins.

Wendy Wright, of Concerned Women for America, said that "this is a financial boondoggle that relies upon creating and killing of human beings…It has both moral and financial implications."