Chicago, Illinois - July 13, 2005 - The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (CBHD) strongly denounces Gov. Blagojevichs executive order to fund embryonic stem cell research through the creation of the Illinois Regenerative Institute for Stem Cell Research with 10 million Illinois taxpayer dollars.
"Though its commendable to want to help those who are suffering debilitating diseases and injuries, it is unconscionable to do so at the expense of other human lives," said Dr. John Kilner, president of CBHD. This is an imposition of morally problematic research on the citizens of Illinois. The people have already spoken through the democratic processlegislation to promote this research failed in the General Assembly. Stem cell research can be pursued ethically by focusing research on adult stem cells, including cord blood cells.
Dr. C. Ben Mitchell, Senior Fellow at CBHD said, "The governor's action is not only morally reprehensible, but should be a signal to every Illinois voter. If he will not protect the most vulnerable among us, he cannot be trusted to protect the rest of us."
Gov. Blagojevichs executive order comes on the eve of CBHDs 12th Annual Bioethics Conference, Genetics and Reproductive Ethics, to be held July 14-16, 2005 on the campus of Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL. A media reception will be held on Thursday, July 14th, from 5 to 6 p.m. Details can be obtained by calling 847.317.4097. Speakers for the Bioethics Conference include Leon Kass, head of the Presidents Council on Bioethics and Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Project. Other speakers such as Princeton Universitys Robert George will explain why the embryos destroyed in embryonic stem cell research should be recognized and treated as the human beings they are. Other conference topics will include reproductive and genetic technologies, cloning, and embryo adoption.
