March 21, 2001
Draft guidelines for human cloning condemned

A committee of the Canadian Institute for Health Research, has drafted guidelines for the use of human embryos in research which allows for human cloning.

"Campaign Life Coalition condemns this proposal", says Mary Ellen Douglas, National Organizer with Campaign Life Coalition.

"The institute refers to `pre-implantation embryos' for the cloning procedure. The life of a new human being begins at fertilization/conception. The fact that . implantation has not yet occurred does not change the humanity of the child. This new person must never be used as spare pacts, a research tool nor a toy for the parents", she continued,

`This bizarre science moves our society into a quagmire of moral and ethical questions", states Karen Murawsky, Director of the Campaign Life Coalition hobby office. "For their part in this ethical nightmare, Britain has rightfully earned the condemnation of the European Union. The U.S. government won't permit funding to be used for stem cell research. Why must Canada permit such dehumanizing research? Tax money will be better spent on stem cell research involving adult bone marrow, cord blood or placental tissue. Research of this kind does not kill a human being", she said.

We call on the federal government to outlaw this use of human embryos as it did in proposed legislation sponsored in 1996 by David Dingwall. Let us hope these immoral guidelines die before any innocent children do.

Media Contacts:
Mary Ellen Douglas - National Organizer CLC - 613-389-4472
Karen Murawsky - Director, Ottawa Lobby Office - 613-729-0379
Tanya Granic - CLC Toronto - 416-204-9749

Campaign Life Coalition is Canada's national pro-life organization.