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May 19, 2005
Orthodox
Jewish Leaders Call on U.S. House
to Support Stem Cell Funding
Bill; Castle-Degette Bill Consistent with
Jewish Teaching
In advance of
an expected U.S. House of Representatives vote next week on
legislation that will allow federal funding for some embryonic
stem cell research, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of
America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella
organization representing nearly 1,000 synagogues, has written to
House members in support of the legislation. The Union letter is
in support of H.R. 810, sponsored by Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) and
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Col.) and 200 other sponsors. HR810 will
allow public funds to support stem cell research on cells derived
from embryos donated to IVF clinics which are in excess of the
clinical need of the individuals seeking IVF treatment, and with
the prior consultation with and consent of the donors.
Signed by the Union’s executive vice president, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh
Weinreb, and director of public policy, Nathan J. Diament, the
letter states, in pertinent part:
The Jewish tradition places great value upon human life and its
preservation. The Torah commands us to treat and cure the ill and
to defeat disease wherever possible; to do this is to be the
Creator’s partner in safeguarding the created. The traditional
Jewish perspective thus emphasizes that the potential to save and
heal human lives is an integral part of valuing human life.
Moreover, the traditional Jewish perspective does not accord an
embryo outside of the womb the full status of humanhood and its
attendant protections. Thus, stem cell research may be consistent
with and serve these moral and noble goals; however, such research
must not be pursued indiscriminately.
H.R. 810
strikes this careful balance. By insisting that publicly funded
stem cell research be conducted on cells derived from embryos
donated to IVF clinics and were in excess of the clinical need of
the individuals seeking IVF treatment, and by requiring the prior
consultation with and consent of the donors, the Stem Cell
Research Enhancement Act serves to value and venerate the sanctity
of life and our responsibilities to our fellow man and woman.
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