Friday, July 23, 2010
AveWatch is reporting that the Catholic Diocese of Venice, which covers Collier County and Ave Maria Town, is planning on issuing a statement in its parishes and diocesan newspaper, expressing concern about the Jackson Labs plan. Here is an excerpt from the statement: Jackson Laboratory's purported association with and openness to human embryonic stem cell research causes the Diocese of Venice concern. Of particular note is a public statement made by the company that they are, "not willing to rule out doing human embryonic stem cell research" (Naples Daily News, April 10, 2010). ...... While encouraging and supporting biomedical research which respects innocent human life and advances the common good and in keeping fully with the Teachings of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Venice has ethical and moral concerns as regards the potential activities at the proposed Jackson Laboratory facility. Economic growth and development are not the only components which impact the life of a community. An organization which truly respects the rights of all human beings could and should "rule out" human embryonic stem cell research. This is precisely because it involves the destruction of innocent human life and consequently, affects the community. Without such an understanding, the plan of Jackson Laboratory, as it has been reported, presents difficulty for the Diocese of Venice in Florida. It's good to see the Diocese raising concerns. Fumed by Thales at 7:47 AM. 9 puffs of smoke. Diocese of Venice Expresses Concern Over Ave Maria Jackson Laboratory »
Thu, July 22nd, 2010 - 8:35 pm EST
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Address for this article: http://avewatch.com/?p=1444 - View date: 07-25-2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following statement was released today by the Catholic Church's Diocese of Venice (Florida). Tom Monaghan's Ave Maria Town and University are located in the Diocese. ********** While the Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida is aware of the potential economic benefits of any company coming to the region, there are other questions which have a profound moral and ethical impact that must also be considered. Indeed, moral and ethical questions are at the very core of what constitutes truly authentic human and economic development. Authentic human and economic development, in keeping with the Teachings of the Catholic Church, highlights not only the 'wants' of life, but more profoundly, the 'oughts.' This is also the case with regard to The Jackson Laboratory's proposal to operate in Collier County. Jackson Laboratory's purported association with and openness to human embryonic stem cell research causes the Diocese of Venice concern. Of particular note is a public statement made by the company that they are, "not willing to rule out doing human embryonic stem cell research" (Naples Daily News, April 10, 2010).
People knowledgeable of stem cell research and therapy are aware that adult stem cell research has led to more medical advances and promise than that of human embryonic stem cell studies. The Catholic Church does support research using adult stem cells taken from a variety of sources. However, as is well known, since work on human embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of innocent human life, the Church does not approve of such research. While encouraging and supporting biomedical research which respects innocent human life and advances the common good and in keeping fully with the Teachings of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Venice has ethical and moral concerns as regards the potential activities at the proposed Jackson Laboratory facility. Economic growth and development are not the only components which impact the life of a community. An organization which truly respects the rights of all human beings could and should "rule out" human embryonic stem cell research. This is precisely because it involves the destruction of innocent human life and consequently, affects the community. Without such an understanding, the plan of Jackson Laboratory, as it has been reported, presents difficulty for the Diocese of Venice in Florida. Sincerely, Bob Reddy Diocese of Venice in Florida Communications Department 941-486-4701 ***
[END OF STATEMENT]*** According to a National Catholic Bioethics Center analysis done for Ave Maria developer Tom Monaghan, the contraception and human embryonic stem cell work of Jackson Laboratory presents "no moral obstacle" because "it is impossible to cooperate with an evil that is not taking place" at Jackson. Ave Maria School of Law's President and Dean, Eugene Milhizer, endorsed Jackson Laboratory's practices as "consistent with the Catholic Church's teaching on different life issues" (audio).
Ave Maria University President Nick Healy, who just returned from a trip to Jackson's headquarters in Maine, was quoted in the Naples Daily News as saying "If they [Jackson] were to locate here [in Ave Maria district] I think there would be very considerable benefits to the entire area. They will bring well-paying jobs and so on. It will help real estate in the town." (4/10/2010) In May, two months after the Ave Maria Jackson Laboratory deal was announced, a Florida Weekly magazine reporter asked if anyone had requested that the Laboratory refrain from research offensive to Catholics within the planned Ave Maria district facility. The Jackson official stated that nobody had asked for any such assurance (audio). http://avewatch.com/?p=1444
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