Richard Doerflinger, the deputy director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has an article on National Review about the recent decision by Iowa lawmakers to overturn a previous cloning ban. The language they adopted resembles what was done in Missouri with Amendment 2 – banning the implantation or attempted implantation of a cloned … Read More
A Decade After Dolly
Nature magazine has an article out reviewing the cloning debate 10 years after Dolly was cloned. The gist of the article is that the cloning debate shifted away from reproductive cloning (to create baby) and now focuses on “therapeutic” or research cloning (to create human embryos for research). “What really took place is that the stem-cell debate replaced the cloning … Read More
Romney Stands Firm on Embryo Issue
Mitt Romney, whose wife is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, is staunchly opposed to ESC research and is sticking to his position. Supposedly it was this issue that brought him see the light on other life issues. I have not been one to criticize Romney’s pro-life conversion because I knew about his position on ESC research a few years ago. Cal … Read More
Testimonies, Letters and Speeches, Oh My!
As I am working on my testimony for a possible Senate hearing about the joint resolution to ban cloning here in MO, I thought I would post my previous letters and testimonies on this subject, in case you’re interested. I will also put them on an information page to your right. SB 160 a ban on human cloning in Missouri: … Read More
“Cloning Benefits Oversold”
Now there’s a shocker. Those of us on this side of the isle have been saying this from the very beginning. Now scientists are finally admitting to it. This won’t get much play here in the United States. Cloning research “clearly upsets the general public” yet it has limited potential for treating disease and adds little to scientific understanding of … Read More
An Amendment to the Amendment
Sen. Matt Bartle of Lee’s Summit and Rep. Jim Lembke of St. Louis, toured the state today promoting their joint resolution to ban all human cloning in the state of Missouri. The idea of the initiative is to put before Missouri voters a “short, simple and straightforward” ban on all human cloning that would close the massive loophole left in … Read More
Not All Doctors Favor Amendment 2
A group of Missouri Physicians are speaking out against Amendment 2. This, of course is not a first. It is a myth that all doctors and scientists are in favor of cloning and embryonic stem cell research. In 2004 57 scientists and physicians sent a letter to John Kerry voicing their concerns about his statements on cloning and ESCR. The … Read More
Great Video on Stem Cell Research
The Family Research Council has a really good video with basic stem cell information. I had a little trouble viewing it on the website, but there is a link to launch the external media player that worked much better for me. It’s a good introduction for someone who is new to the stem cell debate. I sometimes take for granted … Read More