The Catholic Church Funds Adult Stem Cell Research
According to Korea Times,South Korea’s Catholic church plans to donate 10 billion won ($9.61 million) for adult stem cell research to counter the burgeoning studies on embryonic stem cells.- David MagnusToward that end, the Seoul Diocese yesterday set up a committee to allocate the funds and appointed Bishop Yeom Soo-jung to head it.
``We decided to establish this committee to boost adult stem cell research that will treat hard-to-cure diseases practically. We hope our efforts will mark a turning point to wash away a recent tendency of making light of life, as shown by embryonic stem cell experiments,’’ Yeom said.
He added the 10 billion won is the largest amount ever contributed by any Catholic church in any country for adult stem cell research [yes, and by a 10 billion won margin - ed]
The Catholic church has been opposed to stem cell experiments with embryos, pioneered here by Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk, because of the church’s belief that embryos are human lives.
contribute a comment
Comments have been closed for this post.
comments
The Archdiocese of Sydney has a grant program to sponsor adult stem cell research projects, which was described during the ongoing legislative review process (convened as the Lockhart Review Committee) to examine the 2002 bills that banned cloning and placed limitations on embryonic research. It would be interesting to know how widespread this type of funding by the Church is, what the commitments are of those who receive grant monies, and what type of precedents there are for the Church funding large-scale medical research (in Korean won or otherwise!).
- by Rachel A. Ankeny on Oct 11, 2005 at 12:00 PM | link
I think it's commendable that people/organizations take it upon themselves to support research programs that they judge compatible with their moral beliefs. It's when they extract support from people who don't share their belilefs that my liberal hackles begin to rise.
- by Bob Koepp on Oct 11, 2005 at 2:18 PM | link