Stem cell research in Sacramento: Bishops give limited support.

June 29, 12:55 PMSacramento Catholic ExaminerGregory Johnson

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On June 22, 2009, The Jackson Laboratory announced that its California facility has received a 3.4 million dollar grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). CIRM was established in 2005 after the passage of Proposition 71. This state agency provides grants for stem cell research. The Jackson Laboratory is a non-profit research facility based in Bar Harbor, Maine. The facility in Sacramento will use this grant for the development of new therapies for cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other diseases. 

"Stem cells have tremendous potential for treating human diseases because of their unique capacity to develop into any cell type in the body", says Rick Woychik, the President and CEO of the Jackson Laboratory. Human stem cells will be transplanted into immune-deficient mice, according to Leon Hall, PhD, the Jackson Laboratory program director.

What is the Catholic Church's response to stem cell research? According to the the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Church "supports ethically responsible stem cell research". They object to the "exploitation or destruction of human embryos." The Church supports "research using stem cells from adult tissue and umbilical cord blood, which poses no moral problem." 

In 2005, Cardinal William Keeler urged Congress to pass "Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005" (S. 1317). Sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch, this bill would allow for the collection of umbilical cord blood immediately after live birth. "Umbilical cord blood stem cells have successfully treated thousands of patients with dozens of diseases," the Cardinal said. This bill was passed and signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 20, 2005.

The Jackson Laboratory, in their press release, did not indicate if they would use embryonic stem cells. Nor did they mention if they intend on using umbilical cord blood as a source for their research. The Church is willing to give its support to their work, as long as it does not involve the destruction of human embryos.