The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church overwhelmingly affirms the use of fetal tissue and embryonic tissue for vital research, including the use of human stem cell tissue for research that may result in the restoring of health to those suffering from serious illness. The Assembly, meeting in Louisville, KY, is the highest governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The 85% affirmative vote was taken on June 15 at 11:30 am. The full text of the resolution included in the release.
Contact Mr. Charles Wiley at 502 767 3446 for information.
Below is the text of a resolution that received an 85% affirmative vote at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), meeting in Louisville KY. The vote occurred in the late morning of June 15, 2001. The resolution was presented by the Presbytery of Baltimore, but now has the endorsement of the denominations highest decision-making body.
Overture 01-50. On Adopting a Resolution Enunciating Ethical Guidelines for Fetal Tissue and Stem Cell Research-From the Presbytery of Baltimore.
The Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the 213th General Assembly (2001) to approve the following resolution in accordance the General Assembly Guidelines "Forming Social Policy" paragraph 4:
Whereas, the following policy statements of previous General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provide general guidance that may be considered to apply to fetal tissue and stem cell research:
1. "The Covenant of Life and the Caring Community" (1983), which states, "The 195th General Assembly (1983): . . . Discourages development of human embryos and their use for experimentation except in those cases of clearly demonstrable benefit where no other substitute could accomplish the same end" (Minutes, 1983, Part I, p. 364). The statement goes on to state, "As society looks to the benefits of biotechnology, there must be more serious social and ethical discussion about its application, especially human app
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Contact: Brent Waters
srns@science-spirit.org
412 585-0842
Science and Religion Information Service
14-Jun-2001