By Gudrun Schultz
TORONTO, Ontario, December 14, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) supports human embryonic stem cell research and willÂprovide grant funding to researchers, according to their grant application form, available at https://www.ccff.ca/pdf/ResearchEnglish.rtf.
The application form for a research grant clearly indicates that funding is available for embryonic stem cell research. In section A., under ‘general information’, the applicant is requested to indicate whether the proposed research involves human embryonic stem cell experimentation. If so, they are asked to provide all necessary approval forms.
Stem cell research using human embryos has been condemned by many organizations as ethically immoral. The research involves the removal of undifferentiated cells from the baby in the earliest stages of development, which results in the death of the child.
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LifeSiteNews asked Jennifer Caldwell, CCFF’s media relations officer, to comment. Caldwell said she did not know if the Foundation provided funding for embryonic stem cell research, and suggested we contact Julie Cookson, director of development for the Foundation.
Cookson acknowledged that CCFF did offer the funding for embryonic stem cell research but added that they were not funding such research currently.“I’m unaware of any CF research in the world that involves stem cells,” she said. Asked if CCFF would be willing to reverse it’s stand on funding for the controversial research, Cookson said CCFF CEO Kathleen Morrison would have to respond. Morrison did not return calls by press time.
Ironically, the CCFF form shows concern for the proper treatment of animals used in experimentation. Below the section on embryonic research, applicants are requested to indicate their agreement with the principles enunciated by the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
To express concern over CCFF’s support of human embryonic stem cell research, contact:
Jennifer Caldwell, CCFF media relations officer – 1-800-378-2233 ext. 290
[email protected]
To express concern to financial supporters of CCFF, contact:
Joanne Cartwright, Hudson’s Bay Company Community Investment Coordinator at 416-861-4863 or [email protected].
or
Hudson’s Bay Company Head Office
416-861-6112
401 Bay Street, Suite 500
Toronto, ON
M5H 2Y4
Zellers Head Office
905-792-4400
Zellers
8925 Torbram Road
Brampton, ON
L6T 4G1
For further information on embryonic stem cell research, see:
The Current Status of Adult and Embryonic Stem Cell Research
https://www.lifesitenews.com/features/stemcellembryo/statusapril2002.html
To visit the CCFF website, go to:
https://www.ccff.ca/