Stem Cells and Biotechnology

Advances in science, medicine, and technology may hold promises of improved health and well-being, but may also devalue human life and human dignity. Stem cells, cloning, genetic engineering, and other new technologies need to be evaluated carefully within both a scientific and an ethical framework. Family Research Council opposes research that destroys, harms, or manipulates an embryonic human being. However, we vigorously support research and therapies using "adult" stem cells (such as from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood) which are not ethically problematic and have already resulted in useful therapies in human patients. FRC opposes all forms of human cloning, whether "reproductive" to bring an infant to term, or "therapeutic" to destroy the cloned embryo for experiments. FRC believes that good science is also ethical science, and supports biotechnologies that advance scientific knowledge and medical treatments, while valuing all human life and maintaining human dignity.

NEW

• Prohibiting Trafficking of Baby Body Parts and Federal Funding for Fetal Tissue Research from Induced Abortions by Arina Grossu

Core Publications

• Stem Cells, Cloning and Human Embryos: Understanding the Ethics and Opportunity of Scientific Research by David Prentice, Ph.D.

More

• Remembering Pioneers in Patient Treatments
• Adult Stem Cells Saved My Life Information
• Legal Brief: FRC Comment on NIH ESCR Guidelines by David Prentice, Ph.D.
• Stem Cell and Cloning Glossary
• More Manipulation by Missouri Media by Cathy Ruse
• State Constitutional Amendments for Cloning Stem Cell Research by William L. Saunders, J.D., David Prentice, Ph.D., and Michael Fragoso
• False Promises: Common Cloning Claims Refuted by David Prentice, Ph.D., William L. Saunders, J.D., and Michael Fragoso
• Adult Stem Cell Success Stories-2008 Update Jan-June, by David Prentice, Ph.D., William L. Saunders, J.D., Simona Beskova, and Martin Kolesar
• Blurring The Line Between Humans And Animals: Britain's New HFEA Bill, by William L. Saunders, J.D.
• Human Cloning and the Abuse of Science by David Prentice, Ph.D., and William L. Saunders, J.D.
• The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning by Robert P. George, Ph.D. 
• Distinctly Human: The When, Where, How of Life's Beginnings by Dr. John C. Harvey (April 25, 2007) 
• The Viability of Frozen Human Embryos: Lessons from Animal Research by Jan Banas (April 12, 2007) 
• Adult Stem Cell Treatments- Nine Faces of Success by David Prentice, Ph.D. and William L. Saunders, J.D.
• A Primer on Stem Cells Cloning by David Prentice, Ph.D.