Mo. Catholics Back Stem Cell Research

[jefferson_dem]

Mo. Catholics Back Stem Cell Research
By Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A group of prominent Catholics is challenging church leaders' opposition to stem cell research and to the proposed Constitutional amendment that would protect such research in Missouri.

The group, led by former Sen. Tom Eagleton, e-mailed a letter to fellow Catholics last week explaining its reasons for supporting Amendment 2, which Missourians will vote on Tuesday.

The amendment would ensure that any federally approved stem cell research and treatments would be available in Missouri.

The letter from Catholics for Amendment 2 said the group felt a moral obligation to respond to what it called misinformation, scare tactics and distortions being spread by opponents of the initiative, including the church.

"Some people want to ban all stem cell research," the letter said. "At the other extreme there are those who would like to see research proceed completely unfettered. We believe that Amendment 2 strikes a responsible balance ... (with) clear ethical boundaries and safety guidelines."

<SNIP>

http://www.comcast.net/news/politics/index.jsp?cat=POLITICS&fn=/2006/11/05/514169.html

[wellstone dem]

1. Good for them, nt

[liberal N proud]

2. Finally, some one with some common sense

[goforit]

3. For the conservative Catholic area...... I am truely surprised!!!

[Robbien]

4. The article must be wrong. The Washington Post said something different

n Kansas City, Missouri, the Redemptorist Catholic Church was one of many throughout the state working to defeat a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to protect embryonic stem cell research.

On Sunday morning, large red-and-white "Vote No" signs were posted outside the stone cathedral, while inside churchgoers received glossy brochures arguing against the proposal.

Speakers from the pulpit spoke of "the evils of human cloning" and encouraged the faithful to defeat the amendment because it violates "Catholic principles." One parishioner wore a red-and-white "Vote No" T-shirt as he worshiped.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/05/AR2006110500496_2.html

[Eurobabe]

5. McCaskill's gonna win...

n/t

[Judi Lynn]

6. Former Senator Tom Eagleton is a Republican who stands head and shoulders

above the rest. He always HAS. They have been blessed to have him join their ranks long ago before their party became so unbearably vicious.

[MoJoWorkin]

8. Sorry, but Tom Eagleton IS and always was a Democrat---

You must mean John Danforth---he is a Republican former Senator that is for the stem cell amendment.

Eagleton was also a Senator from MO, and briefly was the VP candidate. He is the Catholic in the article. John Danforth (R former Senator) is a Protestant Minister, but is more moderate than most, and has written articles of his horror that the Religious Right has high jacked the Repug party.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Oh, yeah! Brain drift! Thank you. What a colossal embarrassment.

NOT

http://www.havelshouseofhistory.com/Danforth,%20John%20Claggett.jpg

Right state, right gender, wrong name!

They are BOTH excellent people, however, and their parties were very lucky to get both of them.

[Judi Lynn]

7. This same AP article appears in the International Herald Tribune,

and the Kansas City Star.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/05/america/NA_POL_US_Stem_Cells_Catholics.php

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/elections/15932414.htm

Thanks for posting it here, jefferson_dem. It's VERY good news for Democrats in Missouri, and across the country, as with any luck, it should also assist Claire McCaskill.

On edit:

This may be helpful, as part of the same article, in a longer version, printed in the Kansas City Star:

The letter challenges Missouri's Catholic bishops, who sent letters to parishioners last week that urged them to vote against Amendment 2.

In that letter, Bishop Robert Finn of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese wrote that the amendment would enshrine in the state constitution the right to clone human beings. It included a brochure that said the amendment also would divert money from college loans and health care, and prohibit any governor, judge or other officials from regulating or limiting the research.

"This extreme protection of one industry, for something that is inherently and gravely immoral, is unprecedented in any state," Finn wrote.

Catholics for Amendment 2 wrote that it felt a moral obligation to respond to what it called misinformation, scare tactics and distortions being spread by opponents of the initiative.

Virginia Weldon, a retired professor of pediatrics at Washington University and co-chairwoman of the group's steering committee along with Eagleton, said church leaders consider laboratory techniques for cloning cells to be "human cloning."

But she argued that Amendment 2 makes it a felony to attempt to implant cloned human cells into a woman's uterus. Missouri would be the only state with a law against human cloning, she said.

The letter from Catholics for Amendment 2 said religion often has stood in the way of science, saying as an example that in the late 18th century some churches opposed the new smallpox vaccine because it would be a sin to save a child who was ordained to die of smallpox.

"Imagine how many lives would have been lost if such views had prevailed," it says.
(snip/)

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/elections/15937723.htm

[Oleladylib]

9. I back stem cell research 200% and Catholicism is my practice.

The argument that we all think alike or somehow have to follow a certain set of ethical practice on this is ridiculous ...something like as ridiculous as the right wingers

[TriMetFan]

11. I'm with you.

I'm sick of people thinking that just because a person is Catholic, it means that you follow what ever the Pope say's. It's like saying, just because Bush is President of The United States all Americans should follow what the moron says. The Catholic Church has made many mistakes and will make many more, but we do believe in science in many ways.

[Oleladylib]

13. That is the trouble with Labels isn't it??? Free thinking and

faithful can coincide..

[TriMetFan]

20. Well said.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

15. Make me 3.

I love the Church, but they've got this one wrong.

[TriMetFan]

21. Yes The Church has this one way wrong.

[FernBell]

12. kick

[Neecy]

14. unfortunately....

My sister and brother-in-law - both Democrats, both politically involved - are voting against Amendment 2 because the Catholic church has brainwashed them on this issue.

I've made it a point to become fully informed on the medical procedures and ethical issues and spent over an hour last night trying to persuade her to change her mind. She listened with an open mind but at the end was still going to cast a vote for the 16th century (although they're both voting for McCaskill).

This letter will be helpful. I'll be sure to pass it along.

[BlueIris]

16. OMG. Not that I'm too surprised. Missouri is actually a sane place.

Goddamnit. My whole family's from there, as is Oregon's wonderful governor. It produces great liberals, and great thinkers.

[gordianot]

19. Sanity in places. Some exceptions in Southwest (east) and Central Missouri.

Remember Missouri produced: Mark Twain and John Ashcroft. Harry Truman and Warren Hearnes. Walter Conkrite and Rush Limbaugh.

[Marie26]

17. *Applause* nt

[AngryOldDem]

18. Good to hear this

And it kind of vindicates the fact that not all Catholics toe the line and do what their hierarchy says.

Common sense trumps blind obedience every time.

I hope this passes tomorrow.