Madam, - Michael McLoughlin (November 19th) inaccurately suggests there is an inconsistency between the position of the Irish bishops in relation to the Abortion Referendum of 2002 and their current concerns about EU funding for embryonic stem-cell research as articulated in Father Kevin Doran's Rite and Reason column of November 17th.
I would draw Mr McLoughlin's attention to the following statement made by the Bishops' Conference on December 12th, 2001 regarding the 25th Amendment of the Constitution (Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy) Bill 2001: "We are satisfied that, on any reasonable interpretation, the specific and particular protection offered to the unborn by the new proposal does not dilute or weaken the general protection already afforded by Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution. But even if this new proposal is enacted, outstanding issues remain which require the ongoing attention of our legislators.
"We believe that the existing rights of the unborn from the moment of conception under Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution need to be reinforced by precise legislative measures. In particular, we are concerned that adequate and clear legal protection be offered to the unborn prior to implantation. This is particularly urgent in view of what is happening and what is likely to happen in the area of cloning and research on human embryos, and also in the area of assisted human reproduction where particular problems arise regarding the storage and disposal of human embryos. It is of vital importance that embryos are never treated other than as human persons whose inherent worth and dignity are valued and vindicated". - Yours, etc.,
Rev MARTIN CLARKE, Director, Catholic Communications Office,
St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare.