Catholic Medical Association Applauds HHS Action to Defund Research Using Tissue of Aborted Babies PHILADELPHIA, PA– June 6, 2019 —
The Catholic Medical Association applauds the action of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to stop funding research using the bodies of babies who were aborted. “The Catholic Medical Association welcomes this life affirming policy,” said CMA President, Dr. John Schirger. “We are grateful for this action which we pray instills within people an innate appreciation for the value and dignity in every human life,” Dr. Schirger added. “The use of fetal tissue from an elective abortion for research is not only the ultimate cannibalization of human life, but unnecessary regardless of how promising the research,” said Dr. Marie Hilliard, Co-Chair of CMA’s Ethics Committee. The CMA points out that most notably, since the December 2018 establishment of HHS funding to support research on the development of ethical alternatives to the use of such tissue, progress already has been made.
“The new policy clearly indicates the growing public awareness that from the moment of conception the unborn child is a human being who has the right to be respected and protected,” said Dr. Hilliard. Furthermore, CMA is pleased to see the current administration remove any appearance of cooperating with the evil of abortion to advance medical research. “Research done in an ethical and humane manner never should be contaminated with acts that are in stark contrast to the aim of such research—to advance the cause of human life and reduce suffering,” said Dr. Greg Burke, Co-Chair of CMA’s Ethics Committee. CMA encourages Catholics everywhere to support policies like this one, and contact lawmakers to encourage them to do the same. “Silent objection isn’t enough, Catholics need to speak up on behalf of ethical research,” said Dr. Barbara Golder, Editor-In-Chief of CMA’s Linacre Quarterly.
###The Catholic Medical Association is a national, physician-led community of over 2,300 healthcare professionals consisting of 109 local guilds. CMA’s mission is to inform, organize, and inspire its members, in steadfast fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church, and to uphold the principles of the Catholic faith in the science and practice of medicine.
Jill Blumenfeld, Communications Manager blumenfeld@cathmed.org 215-367-5864 ext 5864
