Letters

Embryo experimentation (letter)

Brian A. Coman

Contents - Nov 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The essential role of saints in the Church - Michael Gilchrist Independent inquiry exonerates Archbishop George Pell - Peter Westmore News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Father Fessio: real US crisis is 'spiritual abuse' - Karl Maurer Australian Bishops' 'complaints protocol' used to uphold orthodoxy - Richard Egan Opus Dei founder Josemaria Escriva canonised at Papal Mass in Rome - AD2000 Report Sydney Archdiocese courses on 'Catechism' - Fr John Flader Catholic schools: restoring a sense of sin - Br John Moylan CFC Australian apologist Raymond de Souza's successful overseas lecture tour - AD2000 Report Events: The Fellowship of St Arnou to hold function in Melbourne Letters: Media war declared (letter) - Fr M. Shadbolt PP Letters: Embryo experimentation (letter) - Brian A. Coman Letters: Radical feminism (letter) - Gordon Southern Letters: Brisbane Synod (letter) - J.F. Nolan Letters: Anglican Church (letter) - Fr James Grant SSC Letters: Office of Bishop (letter) - Fr Brendan T. Walters MSC Letters: Headline (letter) - Michael Starr Letters: Birth control (letter) - Kevin Tighe Letters: Insulting TV program (letter) - K.L. Hanrahan Letters: Tough teachings (letter) - Mrs Maureen Federico Letters: Offertory prayers (letter) - John Mulholland Letters: Exorcists (letter) - Monica J. Hart Letters: EWTN (letter) - Jacqueline Donohue Letters: Anonymity (letter) - Narelle Mullins Books: The New Faithful: Why Young Adults are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: Scripture Diary 2003 Books: Bernard Of Clairvaux: Essential Writings - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: A Generation Betrayed: Deconstructing Catholic Education, by Eamonn Keane - John Young (reviewer) Books: Ideal Christmas Gifts from AD Books Reflection: St Maria Goretti's 'perfect Christian death' - Mary Kenny

The one undisputed consequence of Embryonic Stem Cell experimentation is that the death of the embryo will surely follow. That the embryo in its pre-experimentation state is both live and human is not in contention among serious-minded people and, in fact, has been freely acknowledged by Professor Trounson himself.

Indeed, if the embryo was not live and not human, then I presume that it would be of no use at all to the experimenters. It is the condition of being live and human that makes it useful.

Logic tells me, therefore, that the legislation which has recently passed the Lower House with the support of the Prime Minister, and will soon go before the Senate, may fairly be described as a law allowing live human beings to be sacrificed for an as yet highly intangible benefit.

The very idea of the proposal is preposterous and only a few short years ago would have brought cries of incredulity from the populace. Nowadays, though, I'm not so sure, but am still optimistic enough to believe that a significant number of Australians are repelled by the prospect.

If I am right, then now is the time for those Australians to speak out in protest before our noble senators pass judgement upon this truly appalling piece of immorality.

And what further horrors can we expect from the IVF industry before, finally, it is shut down?

History is not likely to look kindly on the day we abandoned respect for the individual human life.

BRIAN A. COMAN
Mordialloc, Vic