February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Bishops say medical intervention on human embryos should only be permitted if it is designed to protect the life and health of the specific embryo being treated.
They also want a ban on the production of embryos specifically destined for research which they describe as “unethical,” the bishops said.
“The cloning of human embryos for so-called therapeutic purposes such as stem-cell research, should be prohibited by law.”
The bishops say any law dealing with assisted reproductive therapy “should recognize and protect the right of every child to be born to a mother and father who are permanently committed to one another.” They also want a ban on cloning of human embryos.
Fr. Kevin Doran, secretary of the bishop’s committee on bio-ethics, said the submission recommendations were based on three principles — respect for life, respect for family and respect for the nature and purpose of human sexuality.
“They [the bishops] are seeking a ban on anything that places the life of an embryo at risk more than it would be at risk in natural procreation and also anything which changes the structure of the family,” Doran said.
Health Minister Micheal Martin reiterated to the Dail last week that the government is opposed to human cloning and hopes to pass laws as soon as possible.