John Allen: Research on embryos crosses 'moral line,' Roman Catholic Bishops warn

The U.S. bishops adopted a statement on embryonic stem cell research this morning, the first time the conference has spoken specifically on the issue. It asserts that harvesting embryos for research amounts to “the deliberate killing of innocent human beings,” and is therefore “a gravely immoral act.”

The statement was prepared by the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, led by Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia. Because Rigali wasn’t in attendance, it was presented by Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas.

The bishops warn that embryonic stem cell research is potentially part of a slippery slope toward other dangerous outcomes, including:
Ӣ Human cloning
”¢ Putting women’s health at risk in order to obtain eggs for the production of embryos
Ӣ Creating human/animal hybrids that blur the boundaries between species, once again in order to get egg cells

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