SYDNEY, February, 11 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Australia, will seek a national ban on embryonic stem-cell research, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Australia’s law allowing the use of embryonic tissue will expire in April, requiring new legislation to regulate the status of embryos that have been frozen and stored during fertility treatments.
“We are not in favor of producing human beings to destroy them for scientific purposes,” Cardinal Pell said. “Human life is not a commodity.”
At the same time, the Sydney archdiocese is offering funding to scientists who are working with stem cells that have been obtained by morally legitimate means. The archdiocese has already awarded $50,000 to one research project using stem cells taken from adult tissues, with applications expected for another $50,000 grant.