The California Conference of Catholic Bishops have spoken strongly against Proposition 71, the Nov. 2 ballot initiative which would allocate $3 billion in state money to support research efforts into embryonic stem cells.

"Proposition 71 involves the technology of human embryonic cloning, cannot be justified from an ethical perspective, promises what may not happen and is a financial boondoggle," the bishops said in a Sept. 7 statement on the initiative, which has garnered both fervent support and opposition.

Advocates include individuals with ties to the biotechnology and technology industries who could benefit financially if the research proves beneficial, as well as family members of patients suffering from diseases they believe embryonic stem cell research could cure.

Opponents --- who have been badly outspent in the campaign --- say this is just the problem: Proposition 71, they say, is a special interest bill that would benefit only a few yet cost state tax-payers billions.

"It's hypothetical that any of this research is effective. There is no scientific proof," said Professor Jim Walter, the Austin & Ann O'Malley Chair in Bioethics at Loyola Marymount University. "Residents are worried about public schools and state security yet we're going to spend $6 billion on something that may not work?"

While the initiative provides for $3 billion in state money, fiscal estimates show that interest could bring the total cost up to $6 billion --- an amount that the California bishops say is "socially unjust…when vital programs for health, education, police and fire services are being cut."

A recent nation-wide poll by the Pew Research Center shows that a slim majority of Americans (52 percent) feels it is more important to conduct stem cell research than to not destroy embryos. Among white Catholics surveyed, 55 percent are in support of stem cell research, up from 43 percent in 2002.

Some contribute this support to the high visibility and successful fundraising of proponents of stem cell research. The "Yes on 71" campaign has raised nearly $11 million while groups opposing the initiative have reported only $75,000 in donations. Supporters of the initiative are using the funds to wage an aggressive media campaign including television, radio and mail. Many of the ads focus on sufferers of various illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries, who believe that a cure may be possible with the help of embryonic stem cell research.

In July, former First Lady Nancy Reagan spoke about her hope for a cure for Alzheimer's disease, which in June took the life her husband, the former president.

"Science has presented us with a hope called stem cell research, which may provide our scientists with answers that have long been beyond our grasp," Mrs. Reagan said. "I just don't see how we can turn our backs on this when there are just so many diseases that can be cured, or at least helped. We have lost so much time already, and I just can't bear to lose anymore."

But these arguments are misleading, insists the Catholic Common Good Foundation of California.

"The proponents obscure the fact that Proposition 71 will primarily fund research on human embryos --- from IVF [in vitro fertilization] clinics or more likely from human clones created in science laboratories," the organization writes. "They do not disclose that there have been no successes from either animal or human embryonic stem cell research, and only one documented success in creating a human cloned embryo. What is true is that all of the successes to date have come from adult stem cells or cord blood stem cells."

Gail Quinn, executive director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, pointed out that embryonic stem cells "have never treated a human being. Moreover, animal trials suggest they are genetically unstable and too likely to cause tumors for treatment anytime soon."

"The human embryo, whether created in a mother's body or in a petri dish, is human in origin, and human in destiny," Quinn continued. "The life of that embryo, with its God-given dignity, is sacred, and must be respected and protected. Embryonic stem cell research, of its very nature, is lethal to the human embryo. No human life should be subjected to manipulation, dissection and destruction for the benefit of others."

LMU's Walter said that while the purposes for the research may be laudable, "it does not justify killing human embryos." Nor does it satisfy the tenets of Catholic social justice teaching, he added.

"The poor are never going to have access to these treatments," he said. "This kind of high tech medicine is very expensive and will never be accessible to them. Only the Michael J. Foxes and Christopher Reeves of the world will benefit from these treatments if they turn out to be successful."

Proposition 71 would exclusively fund research currently ineligible for federal funding. In 2001 President Bush limited federal monies for embryonic stem cell research to groups of cells --- or cell lines --- that were already in existence at the time of his decision. Advocates of this kind of research argue that these existing cell lines are insufficient.

"What this proposition is really about is cloning embryos for stem cell research," said Walter. "People think its just about using leftover embryos in IVF labs, but Proposition 71 will legally permit the cloning of embryos to destroy them."

The wording of the initiative bans cloning for reproductive purposes and proponents argue that if the research could cure diseases then it is not unethical.

But Catholic teaching says that taking human life is never justified.

"Proposition 71 will fund human embryonic cloning," say the California bishops. "Such a technological procedure amounts to playing God with the mystery of human life, and it is morally wrong."

The full text of the California Bishops' statement on Proposition 71 is available at www.the-tidings.com. Additionally, the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities has published "Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning: Questions and Answers" bulletin insert, No. 5-665, $10 per 100 copies. To order, call (800) 235-8722.