Catholics for a Free Choice Supports Proposition 71:
The California Stem Cell Research & Cures
Initiative |
Site last published: 01/06/10
Catholics for a Free Choice Supports Proposition 71: The California Stem Cell Research & Cures Initiative
September 07,2004
WASHINGTON
DC—Catholics for a Free Choice announced today its
endorsement of Proposition 71, the California Stem
Cell Research & Cures Initiative. Proposition
71, which will appear on the November 2004 ballot,
would provide funds needed for the development of
potentially lifesaving therapies and cures for
diseases that could save the lives of millions of
children and adults and reduce health care costs.
Frances Kissling, president of Catholics for a Free Choice, said, “Proposition 71 will provide much needed funding for embryonic stem cell research that could lead to cures for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injuries. Stem cell research has the potential to save lives, yet an antichoice minority continues to vocalize its opposition to scientific research on dubious grounds. While the Catholic bishops are against embryonic stem cell research, asserting the personhood of embryos, the majority of Catholics does not believe or stand with the bishops on this issue.”
A recent poll commission by Catholics for a Free Choice, The View from Mainstream America: The Catholic Voter in Summer 2004, demonstrates broad support for stem cell research within the Catholic community.
Washington DC-based Belden Russonello & Stewart polled 2,239 Catholic voters and found that a large majority of Catholic voters (72%) supports “allowing scientists to use stem cells obtained from very early human embryos to find cures for serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes and Parkinson’s.” Strong support for this research (34%) outnumbers strong opposition (12%) by nearly three to one. The complete results are available at www.catholicvote.net.
CFFC joins a coalition that includes Nobel Prize-winning scientists and medical experts, families involved in patient advocacy and efforts to cure diseases, and organizations such as the California Medical Association, American Nurses Association of California, Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Parkinson's Action Network.
Frances Kissling, president of Catholics for a Free Choice, said, “Proposition 71 will provide much needed funding for embryonic stem cell research that could lead to cures for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injuries. Stem cell research has the potential to save lives, yet an antichoice minority continues to vocalize its opposition to scientific research on dubious grounds. While the Catholic bishops are against embryonic stem cell research, asserting the personhood of embryos, the majority of Catholics does not believe or stand with the bishops on this issue.”
A recent poll commission by Catholics for a Free Choice, The View from Mainstream America: The Catholic Voter in Summer 2004, demonstrates broad support for stem cell research within the Catholic community.
Washington DC-based Belden Russonello & Stewart polled 2,239 Catholic voters and found that a large majority of Catholic voters (72%) supports “allowing scientists to use stem cells obtained from very early human embryos to find cures for serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes and Parkinson’s.” Strong support for this research (34%) outnumbers strong opposition (12%) by nearly three to one. The complete results are available at www.catholicvote.net.
CFFC joins a coalition that includes Nobel Prize-winning scientists and medical experts, families involved in patient advocacy and efforts to cure diseases, and organizations such as the California Medical Association, American Nurses Association of California, Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Parkinson's Action Network.
-end-
Catholics
for Free Choice (CFFC) shapes and advances sexual
and reproductive ethics that are based on justice,
reflect a commitment to women’s well being, and
respect and affirm the moral capacity of women and
men to make sound decisions about their lives.
Through discourse, education, and advocacy, CFFC
works in the US and internationally to infuse these
values into public policy, community life, feminist
analysis, and Catholic social thinking and
teaching.