The four Catholic bishops of Massachusetts have called upon the state Legislature and Gov. Deval L. Patrick to revise biotechnology and stem cell research plans for the state by using recently announced scientific advances that can allow human skin cells to be turned into cells that are very similar, but not identical to embryonic stem cells.Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Worcester Diocese was joined by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, Bishop George W. Coleman of Fall River and Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell of Springfield in urging the Legislature and the governor to limit research to the cells created from skin cells.
“The approach taken in the new studies avoids the moral objections associated with research requiring the destruction of human embryos,” the bishops said in a statement issued by the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, which is governed by the bishops and advocates to the positions of the Roman Catholic Church on public policy issues.
Last month, researchers from the University of Wisconsin and Kyoto University in Japan announced that they had, in separate studies, created cells essentially identical to embryonic stem cells.
“These cells should be useful in understanding disease mechanisms, searching for effective and safe drugs, and treating patients with cell therapy,” said Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, senior author of the Kyoto University study.
James Thomson, senior author of the Wisconsin study, said the discovery “will change the ethical debate.”
“Researchers caution, however, that implementation of the discovery — actually applying it to patient therapy — remains a considerable ways off.
“The recent advances show that good science and respect for life can work together,” the Massachusetts bishops said in their statement issued last week.
The four took special note of stem cell legislation filed in the Legislature by the governor, similar to other bills filed by various legislators, which proposes public funding to promote experiments using stem cells from human embryos.
“These experiments are performed on embryos to acquire stem cells that the new studies now demonstrate can be created through ethical means,” according to the bishops. “We continue to oppose this legislation in its current form as unjust and unnecessary.
“We ask the Legislature to craft stem cell legislation promoting only research that respects human dignity.”
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