“Public funds should never be used to pay for killing a human being, no matter how small and no matter the age or stage of life,” says Geline B. Williams, Virginia’s delegate to the National Right to Life Board of Directors and Chairman of that Board. She was commenting on the controversy regarding federal funding of stem cell research that uses human embryos.

Some legislators, including some that are otherwise pro-life, maintain that already existing frozen embryos should be used since they believe that most will be discarded anyway. “Even use of discarded embryos who might die anyway is no excuse for deliberately killing the human embryo,” counters Mrs. Williams. “History is rife with tragic examples of barbaric cruelty and man’s inhumanity to man when respect for human life and the equal dignity and sanctity for every human life have been thwarted by national policy and practice.”

Does this mean there’s no hope for research for Alzheimer’s, Heart Disease, Parkinson’s and Diabetes? Certainly not! “Instead, public funds should be used to fund adult stem cell and umbilical cord stem cell research, a process that does no harm to the subjects involved and at the same time is already producing at a rapid pace remarkable new discoveries for cure and control of disease,” she said.

Several large religious denominations have urged President Bush to maintain the moratorium on government-aided stem cell research using human embryos. These include the United Methodist Church, of which President Bush is a member, the Roman Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. As we go to press, President Bush has not yet announced his final position.