Editorial

We still have a lot of education to do on the issue of stem-cell research. Even among Catholics there seems to be much ignorance about this controversial issue.

A new survey released on January 4 conducted by the Civil Society Institute showed that 68 percent of Americans want to expand federal support for stem-cell research - that's two out of three Americans. Where did Catholics stand on this issue? They exceeded that number with 69 percent supporting expansion of stem cell research!

Bill before Congress. We have to wonder if Catholics realize what this means. The House of Representatives approved the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 on January 11. It would fully remove President George W. Bush's August 2001 federal funding restrictions on using human embryos for stem-cell research. The bill would require federal funding of new embryonic stem-cell lines taken from destruction of human embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics.

As Peggy Hamill of Pro-Life Wisconsin commented, "This dreadful bill would force American taxpayers to fund the evisceration of human embryos - babies in their earliest stages of development - for no proven medical benefit; as if such benefit could ever justify the killing of any person."

Fortunately, the vote of 253-174 fell well short of the two-thirds margin necessary to override the promised veto by President Bush.

It seems as if members of Congress - and members of the Catholic Church - need to be reminded that "spare" embryos from fertility clinics are human beings in their earliest stage. In fact, parents created those embryos to have children.

Lessons from abortion. We should have learned something from the legalization of abortion in 1973. Back then, it was the "hard cases" which caused the courts to sympathize with women who wanted an abortion. Abortion, it was thought, would be available just for "difficult" situations.

But what happened instead? Some 50 million unborn babies have been killed through abortion in the last 34 years. Abortion has evolved into a method of birth control - used for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy.

If embryonic stem-cell research were expanded, we know it would not stop there. The biotech industry has been chomping at the bit to clone human embryos, warns Wisconsin Right to Life (WRL). "And, even worse, they want the taxpayer to foot the bill," noted Susan Armacost, legislative director of WRL.

Be vigilant. As we observe the 34th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, we realize we must be vigilant about other efforts to destroy human life. We must encourage our legislators to stand firm against efforts to expand embryonic stem-cell research. Instead, we should support research using stem cells obtained ethically from such sources as amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, and adult tissues.

Above all, we must continue to educate ourselves and others about the underlying moral issues involved in killing human embryos to obtain stem cells. As we have said many times, the end does not justify the means - no matter how promising it may sound.

Mary C. Uhler

Mailbag

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Unseen baby in womb is a person, child knows

To the editor:

We continue to hear from those promoting embryonic stem cell research stating that "it's just a group of cells in a dish" and not a child. This is also how pro-abortion agencies for years have rationalized abortion to women stating, "It's not a baby yet."

As I was helping my five-year-old daughter with her homework, we had to count the number of people in our family. She said we had six. "Dad, Mom, Carl, me, Rita, and the baby in Mom's tummy."

Isn't it interesting that a five-year-old understands what our culture doesn't, that an unseen baby in the womb is a person and a member of our family. Jesus teaches us that "unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:3). Please vote for pro-life candidates.

Tom Renz, Waterloo

Why abortion industry opposes parental consent

To the editor:

Why is the abortion industry (and some politicians) so opposed to the parental consent law? A teenager can't patronize an ear-piercing salon, tanning salon, or tattoo parlor without her parent's consent. She can't put beer, whiskey, or wine into her body and can't smoke cigarettes legally, even with her parent's consent. She wouldn't be allowed to step into a pornographic movie house or a topless bar.

A 15-year-old can't legally vote, buy a handgun, or drive a car. And if she wanted to save lives, she still would not be allowed to donate blood without her parent's consent.

What is it about abortion? Why is it that the only thing we will let a 15-year-old legally do without a note from home is have an abortion?

Maybe, just maybe, it's because there's money to be made in teen pregnancy and the clinic is not about to give up its share of the market. How on earth did abortionists get elevated to such a lofty position in our society and how long are we going to allow this disgraceful situation to continue?

Vince Metcalf, Montello

Likes priest's articles

To the editor:

Thank you, Father Lange, on the excellent article on the Feast of Immaculate Conception. Your writings are well received. Some of the most interesting articles in the Catholic Herald are written by you. Keep writing.

Also thank you for having served as pastor at St. Joseph's. The sermon on how a shepherd tends his sheep is still memorable. Your dedication and devotion to the Christ Child is an inspiration to all.

Lloyd Berning, Sinsinawa