Overcoming ignorance
GRAND RAPIDS -- As a physician, Dr. William Passinault says it's a bad bet to spend money on embryonic stem-cell research. As a Catholic, he says it is morally wrong.
But the retired surgeon also has seen patients helped by adult stem-cell therapy. So he applauded Michigan's Catholic bishops for a campaign launched this week to educate parishioners about the church's stand on stem cells.
"Since folks are going to be potentially asked to vote on (a ballot) issue -- and surveys indicate the public on both sides are not well informed -- this is certainly a praiseworthy effort at education," said Passinault, chairman of the bioethics committee at Saint Mary's Health Care.
The campaign comes as supporters of embryonic stem-cell research consider a petition drive to put a proposal on the 2008 ballot to lift the state ban.
More than 500,000 Catholic households statewide, including about 55,000 in West Michigan, were mailed packets from the Michigan Catholic Conference that are signed by the state's seven bishops.
A 12-minute DVD and brochure outline the church's opposition to embryonic stem-cell research and its support of using adult stem cells to treat dozens of diseases.
Parishes also received materials urging them to address the issue this weekend. The first Sunday in October is annually designated Respect Life Sunday by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Grand Rapids Bishop Walter Hurley encouraged parish priests to use the materials, saying they clarify church teaching on a complex issue.
"There is a perception the church is opposed to stem-cell research, and that's totally not true," he said. "There is no question about the commitment of the church to stem-cell research using adult stem cells."
The best way to deal with misinformation is with true information and this looks like a great way to actually do that. The ballot measure in Missouri last year that was so deceptive in pretending to ban cloning got more opposition as time went on and ended up narrowly passing. Sending out short DVD is a great way to help get the truth out especially if they are well produced.
Known as 
Any idea how I could get a copy of the video? I am getting together some current videos on pro life issues to give Lancaster Catholic High School (PA) in hopes of improving their outdated and wishy washy class on Moral issues. This sounds like a good possibility
Sally, I'll ask after Mass. There's going to be a Chain for Life (I think it's called), so I'll see if someone from Right to Life knows.
Great Catholic Blog!
You can watch the video here: http://www.micatholicconference.org/mcc_photos/thumbnails.php?album=12
I can only wish him Godspeed; it's never easy swimming against the tide of public opinion.
Jeff (et al.):
This 6/12/07 SciAm article asserts that "adult stem cells" may not be all they're cracked up to be.
Please read this piece carefully. Comments on this would be most appreciated.
(Is the author right? Morality aside, *might* we need to reconsider our position on ESCR?)
June 12, 2007
"Can Adult Stem Cells Do It All?"
Scientists may have turned mouse skin cells into embryolike stem cells, but prior claims for the power of adult cells have yet to stand the test of time
By JR Minkel
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2oxq3a
http://sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa004&articleID=20989EDD-E7F2-99DF-3238A9B01D86E583
Print-Friendly
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3aqlhk
http://sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=20989EDD-E7F2-99DF-3238A9B01D86E583
Jayson,
Even if Adult stem-cells turn out not to be as promising it doesn't change anything.
There is no such thing as "Morality aside." You might as well say that we should be harvesting the organs of healthy adults because there organs can be used to save multiple lives. Just think of all the lives we can save by expending just one donor.
our associate pastor gave a nice homily today on many of the life issues, including ESCR and end-of-life concerns. Overheard in the parking lot."Today we got a lesson on science and ethics"
You know what was even better? Today (Oct 8), the Right to Life of Greater Lansing had their annual Dinner, and guess what speaker Dr. David Prentice spoke about? Yep: Adult stem cell vs. embryonic stem cell research.
Don't know if anyone This Side of Heaven had a hand in arranging that, but it was a great -- live! -- reinforcement of the message the bishops' DVD put so clearly.