Madam, – The “strict guidelines” drawn up by the University Research Ethics Board at UCC regarding experimentation on cells derived from human embryos did not bring me much comfort.
To use stem cell lines derived from human embryos, even if remotely harvested, or to use human embryos proper for research is contrary to the dignity of the human person, especially in the death, or risk of death, of that human. While it is reassuring that the Academic Council does not recommend destructive research on living embryos, willingness to use cells of embryos destroyed for that purposes constitutes an unacceptable level of co-operation in evil.
This is because, objectively, human life begins at fertilisation, where new unique human DNA exists. Even if one cannot easily see this entity as a human being, some rational reflection will conclude that we attach human rights and dignity to the human person through the living body, not through conscience (as in the case of the comatose), nor to an intellect or mind (as in the case of the profoundly mentally disabled), nor to the memory (as of the dead), as rights are then non-applicable.
The mounting evidence and increasing opinion that embryonic stem cell research is less likely to yield cures for diseases as compared to adult or cord stem cells are secondary to the argument that innocent human life should not be taken in any circumstances.
Finally, for the council to regard the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction as independent is highly questionable given the vested interests of many members of that body in reproductive issues, – Yours, etc,