The urgency of the current real possibility of highly unethical human cloning and human embryonic stem cell research taking place in this country and abroad, and the many difficulties and confusions inherent in the public debates on these issues, encourage us to submit for your kind review a recent invited and well-received Presentation on these issues to the Missouri Catholic Conference Annual Assembly by former bench research scientist Dr. Irving, ÒPlaying God by manipulating man: Facts and frauds of human cloning and human embryonic stem cell research.Ó
Dr. Irving is academically credentialed as a scientist, as a philosopher, and as a bioethicist. Her Doctoral Dissertation, Philosophical and Scientific Analysis of the Nature of the Early Human Embryo (Georgetown University, 1991), as well as 15 years of related peer-reviewed publications, teachings, and lectures, have focused specifically on these issues. The Presentation itself is relatively short, but it includes important and extensive scientific references (in concert with the international nomenclature on human embryology), historical references, and a detailed Appendix on Church teachings, with direct quotations on human cloning and human embryonic stem cell research. We hope that you will find them helpful and fruitful in your own discernments, discussions and pastoral work.
Of most concern to us is the lack of any reliable, documented proof for supposed Òscientific factsÓ being used on all sides of these debates, including those ÒfactsÓ issuing from some who would presume to consider themselves as ÒexpertsÓ on these difficult issues. However, when pressed, they cannot provide any proof whatsoever for their ÒscientificÓ definitions. If the accurate scientific facts involved are the very starting points for any further philosophical, theological, sociological, legislative, political, public policy, and pastoral considerations, then we hope this Presentation and Appendix might be especially helpful to you in your crucial pastoral role as Shepherd in insisting on and disseminating the Truth. To date, after 13 years, none of the science, again explained in this Presentation, has been demonstrated or proven to be in error. Most of it is quite basic, known and internationally documented for over a hundred years. The demand for proof of the accuracy of these objective scientific facts is critical. Such proof is provided for you in this Presentation.
What is at stake in these human cloning debates is nothing less than the intended and willful production and destruction of millions of innocent living human beings, as well as a legal precedent set that conceptually can be (and already has been) rapidly transferred to millions of adult human beings in short order Ð all under the guise of Òhelping othersÓ. The stakes are high, and so we humbly and earnestly pray that you will take these matters into your kind consideration with our deepest gratitude, prayers, and appreciation for all of the devoted work and loving guidance that you do so well.
In ChristÕs name, and in supplication to the blessed St. Kolbe,
Samuel V. Inlow, President, COO
Dr. Dianne N. Irving, M.A., Ph.D., Chair, Advisory Council
PS: Please note that Dr. IrvingÕs Presentation and Appendix are also accessible on-line at the following websites:
http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/irv/irv_22manipulatingman1.html
http://www.mocatholic.org/uploads/IrvingCloning3.pdf
http://www.uffl.org/irving/irvplayinggo.pdf, and
http://www.uffl.org/irving/irvplayinggoappen.pdf
Enclosure: Presentation and Appendix by Dianne N. Irving, M.A., Ph.D., "Playing God by manipulating man: Facts and frauds of human cloning and human embryonic stem cell research."
CC: All Bishops of the United States, His Holiness John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger, Cardinal Trujillo, Cardinal Barragan, Mons. Sgreccia (VP)andMembers of the Pontifical Academy for Life