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May
25, 2005
Union Of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations Welcomes U.S. House
Passage of Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act
The Union of Orthodox
Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox
Jewish umbrella organization, welcomed today’s vote in the U.S.
House of Representatives approving the bipartisan Stem Cell
Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810, sponsored by Reps. Castle &
DeGette) which would allow federal funding to support research on
stem cells derived from embryonic cells donated to In Vitro
Fertilization clinics with the consent of the donors.
The Union also welcomed the passage of legislation which will
expand federal support for research on developing stem cells from
umbilical cord blood (H.R. 2520, sponsored by Reps. Chris Smith &
Artur Davis).
In reaction to the House vote on HR810, the UOJCA issued the
following statement:
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.
By narrowly tailoring those cells upon which such research may be
conducted, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act serves to value
and venerate the sanctity of life and our responsibilities to our
fellow man and woman.
We recognize that those who oppose this research and this
legislation do so upon the basis of deeply and sincerely held
moral beliefs. So too, the UOJCA supports this legislation because
of our deeply held moral and religious traditions. We commend all
those who engage in this important debate with respect and
civility for those with whom they disagree; that is the only type
of debate this issue deserves.
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