Stem cells and Chimeras/Embryos; Legislation and Papal/Episcopal witness

Several stories today on the bioethics front.

First, Pope Benedict re-endorsed adult stem-cell research in no uncertain terms at today's Wednesday audience:

During the weekly Wednesday audience held earlier today, Pope Benedict expressed his approval for adult stem cell research, distinguishing adult stem-cell research from destructive embryonic stem-cell research, which the Catholic Church strongly condemns.According to ABC News, the Pontiff made the remarks while greeting members of a conference organized by La Spaienza University about the use of adult stem cells to treat cardiac problems." On this matter the position of the Church, supported by reason and by science, is clear," said the Pope." Scientific research must be encouraged and promoted, so long as it does not harm other human beings, whose dignity is inviolable from the very first stages of existence." [LifeSiteNews]

Pope Benedict has spoken in favor of valid forms of research before:

"In the face of the frequent and unjust accusations of insensitivity directed against the Church," said Pope Benedict in September of last year at a conference organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life, "I would like to underline the constant support she has given over the course of her two thousand-year history to research aimed at the cure of illnesses and at the good of humanity." [LifeSiteNews] [(CWNews.)]

CNS reports on the recently-introduced legislation that would allow the creation of human/animal chimeras (which I blogged about yesterday):

"Josephine Quintavalle of the public lobby group Comment on Reproductive Ethics told Catholic News Service June 27 that the bill is very likely to pass through the houses of Parliament in the fall. She said that it was also structured in such a way that the government could approve new advances without recourse to Parliament."

This support for ESCR and chimera creation, even as their medical utility is dubious at best:

Part of the problem, she added, was that science had become a new "fundamentalism" in Britain."

Politicians are increasingly reluctant to engage in genuine scrutiny of the claims made by scientists, particularly in the field of embryonic stem cells," said Quintavalle. "The evidence base presented in this field has been particularly inadequate. A colossal amount of time has been wasted justifying the creation of interspecies embryos without robust scientific counterarguments.

"The debate has been presented erroneously as simply a battle between pro-life or religious absolutists and a united secular scientific community of the highest integrity," she added.

...

McGuckin said there was "no evidence whatsoever" that interspecies research would lead to a single cure.

...

He asked: "What is there to show for the millions of pounds that have gone into embryonic stem-cell research in recent years compared to the small amount of funds for adult stem-cell research, which has been delivering the results?"

CNA has more on this story, and also reports that Australia went ahead and approved of embryonic stem-cell research for the first time (despite Cardinal Pell's outspoken opposition):

"Despite opposition from the Catholic Church and a prayer campaign by Christian MPs, the NSW Upper House passed a law that lifts the ban on embryonic stem-cell research in the Australian state. The Bill passed by a vote of 28 to 13.Cardinal George Pell of Sydney had warned Catholic MPs who supported the bill that "their voting has consequences for their place in the life of the Church".Despite the warning, a number of high-profile Catholic MPs, including Premier Morris Iemma and his deputy, John Watkins, voted in favor of the Bill."

Putting all these pieces together, I think we're seeing the debate between pro-life, Catholic, pro-adult-stem-cell-research defenders and scientific establishment, secular, pro-embryonic-stem-cell research advocates becoming much more heated, even coming to a head.

I wonder about the chances of seeing excommunications handed out to Catholics who vote for embryonic stem-cell legislation (and here Cardinal Pell is the prime candidate for doing so), or again about the possibility of more pointed words on this subject being put forward by Pope Benedict or one of the Congregation heads (in document form or spoken).

One of the factors that makes the position of these pro-ESCR folks so untenable is the objective incommensurability of ESCR hopes with the cures already provided by adult stem-cell research. In this kind of environment, it's easy to see how ESCR advocates aren't arguing science or reason, but rather forcing their own agenda and bias. Face it: ESCR just isn't good science, and chimera creation is even less prudential. ESCR advocates deserve to be reprimanded not only for taking human lives, but also for wasting medical resources in a backdoor attempt to further erode societal respect and political legislation for human dignity.