Clergy Notes Value of Cord Blood in Reaction to Hybrid Stem Embryos

Researchers in the UK received regulatory approval for the creation of hybrid human/animal embryos. While they lauded the decision and looked forward to untold scientific advances, others lamented the decision as a transgression of deeply important religious and ethical principles.

Catholic clergy, for instance, argue that the ethical controversies created by decisions to make the hybrid embryos are avoidable--and that their avoidance may actually produce better results.

They maintain that stem cell research using umbilical cord blood can provide benefits similar to those achieved via embryonic research without treading on sensitive moral/ethical/religious terrain.

According The Independent:

But the Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, said: "Instead of promoting ethically problematic research into hybrid embryos, why do we not simply encourage more research into the proven and uncontroversial area of adult stem cells?"

"The Catholic Church is not against all stem cell research, and strongly supports such research using adult and cord blood stem cells."