Stem Cell - Ethical Issue in Charitable Involvement

[tigers1007]

I am a member of the board of trustees of a local chapter of a charitable organization that deals with a particular disease. Upon hearing the recent Catholic Answers show dealing with Stem Cell Research, I did some research and discovered that the organization supports and funds embryonic stem cell research. The organization does many great things and helps many people battle these terrible diseases and is involved in many other things besides embryonic stem cell research. Am I obligated as a Catholic to resign from the board? I also discovered many, many other charitable organizations that are supportive of embryonic stem cell research. I would appreciate any advice that anyone can provide.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Chris_Jacobsen]

Embryonic stem cell research involves the murder of innocent people.

Please do us a favor and list the names of these so-called charitable organizations so that we do not accidently support them.

 

[Sgt_Sweaters]

Your involvement indicates a tacit approval of methods. It says that it’s worth killing the unborn at the mere prospect of treating a particular disease. Your conscience is guiding you properly on this one; you need to remove yourself from the organization, and let them know why you are doing so.

And welcome to the forums.

 

[tigers1007]

Thank you for your responses. The website address shown below has a copy of a letter to President Bush that was apparently sent by various charitable organizations. This list is close to a who’s who of charitable organizations involved in the prevention and cure of disease.

endo-society.org/publicpolicy/legislative/letters/bush_jan2001.cfm

 

[Mom_of_one]

Maybe it would be morally permissible to suggest other ideas first, like using cord blood or adult stem cells. That way, you can put the information out there and try to work with them to get the organization to change. If not, then you would need to quit.
May I suggest another website for info?
It is www.all.org

 

[tigers1007]

The organization is national in scope and does use with significant success adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells. Like many not-for-profits that look for cures of serious diseases, they appear to have taken the position that they want to have potential access to all types of possible research.

 

[1ke]

tigers1007:

I am a member of the board of trustees of a local chapter of a charitable organization that deals with a particular disease. Upon hearing the recent Catholic Answers show dealing with Stem Cell Research, I did some research and discovered that the organization supports and funds embryonic stem cell research. The organization does many great things and helps many people battle these terrible diseases and is involved in many other things besides embryonic stem cell research. Am I obligated as a Catholic to resign from the board? I also discovered many, many other charitable organizations that are supportive of embryonic stem cell research. I would appreciate any advice that anyone can provide.

Thank you for your help.

I think you are obligated to try to stay on the board and shape their policy. Then, if they do not change their policy, then I believe you should discontinue your affiliation. As a board member, you make decisions that could be material cooperation with a grave evil-- itself a mortal sin.