March 9, 2009




Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice President Applauds Obama Stem
Cell Research Policy
Statement of Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO, RCRC

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) congratulates
President Obama for lifting the Bush administration's ideological
restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. This
change is a victory for rational policy-making that respects diverse
religious and moral views and a defeat for right-wing religious politics.

Major Protestant denominations and Jewish traditions* took official
positions supporting federal funding for carefully regulated research with
stem cells from embryos that are slated to be destroyed (generally those
left over from in vitro fertilization). These bodies do not support the
creation of embryos for research; that is, they oppose cloning of embryos.

In 2000, the RCRC Board of Directors adopted the following statement about
the moral issues involved in this research: "We believe, as do most
authorities and commissions that have addressed the issue, that human
embryos have the potential of personhood and, as such, they deserve respect.
But excess embryos slated for destruction must not be placed above persons
whose pain and suffering might be alleviated due to the knowledge gained
from studying embryonic cells. Placing obstacles in the way of life-saving
research with embryonic stem cells that are already created and will be
destroyed is misguided. In the case of existing embryos that will be
destroyed, providing federal funding for research is, in our view, fully
consistent with respect for human life. Millions of Americans suffer from
diseases and injuries that could be treated if scientists had adequate funds
to research and develop new therapies."

*The United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church (in the U.S.), Presbyterian
Church (USA), United Church of Christ, and the Orthodox, Conservative, and
Reform movements of Judaism

RCRC was founded in 1973 to represent religious support for reproductive
rights. Its members are religious and religiously affiliated organizations
that support reproductive options on the basis of their religious beliefs.





Contact: Marjorie Signer, msigner@..., 202-628-7700 ext 12, cell
202-341-5559




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