The Associated Press has reported that U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth will allow a nonprofit group, Nightlight Christian Adoptions, to bring its lawsuit in the courts, effectively blocking, at least temporarily, expansion of embryonic stem cell research funding by the Obama admini

Commenting on the final guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research published by the National Institutes for Health (NIH) last week, Philadelphia Archbishop Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said “The comments of te

Pennsylvania priest, neuroscientist, and ethicist Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk spoke recently with ZENIT, an international Catholic news agency. Father Pacholczyk, director of education for the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, said that the truth of embryonic stem cell

Scientists, celebrities, politicians, reporters . . . from the average person to the president of the United States . . . it seems like everybody is talking about stem cells and their potential to cure some of the most debilitating human afflictions. If you believe the hype, all we

William Batz, who has a doctorate in philosophy and is the secretary for social concerns at the Diocese of Pittsburgh, recently answered questions from the Pittsburgh Catholic on stem cell research from a Catholic perspective.

What is a stem cell? A stem cell is essentially a “blank” [unspecialized] cell, capable of becoming another more differentiated cell type in the body, such as a skin cell, a muscle cell, or a nerve cell. Why are stem cells important? Stem cells can be used to replace or heal damaged t

Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, today called President Obama’s executive order on embryonic stem cell research “a sad victory of politics over science and ethics.” Under the order, f

Catholics across the United States will again celebrate Respect Life Month throughout October. Catholic parishes and organizations will sponsor hundreds of educational conferences, prayer services, and opportunities for public witness, as well as events to raise funds for programs ass

Your newborn baby could be a life-saving hero! What an exciting idea for any parent.The blood contained in the umbilical cord at the birth of a child is a rich source of stem cells that can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions and with today’s advances in r

Stem cells are in the news again. In July, President George Bush vetoed a bill that would have provided federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Proponents of this controversial research will now pressure state government to support their efforts. Rep. Tom Tangretti (D-Westmo