A major educational effort is now underway across the State of Kansas to help Catholics understand the differences between "adult" stem cell research and "embryonic" stem cell research as well as the implications of human cloning.

It is imperative that every Catholic understands these issues as there is a tremendous effort underway by the large bio-tech industry to make sure that nothing in Kansas law would prohibit scientific researchers from doing whatever they desire while using our taxpayer dollars to fund their experiments.

Our Bishops have released a joint pastoral letter: "The exorbitant price of embryonic stem cell research." This letter was printed in each of the four diocesan papers and copies were distributed to every parish in the State. On-line copies are available by clicking on one of the following links:

Pastoral Letter On-Line Viewing (English)

Pastoral Letter On-Line Viewing (Spanish)

Pastoral Letter Print Back-to-Back (English)

Pastoral Letter Print Back-to-Back (Spanish)

The Kansas Catholic Conference has also developed an educational video for the purpose of impressing upon people that there is a difference between adult and embryonic stem cell research. The video also makes it clear that embryonic stem cell research is bad science -- not just from an ethical and moral perspective, but from a practical standpoint as well.

A copy of the video was given to all 165 Kansas' legislators and a copy was sent by the Bishops to every pastor in Kansas to be shown to all parishioners. Copies were also distributed to every Knights of Columbus Council in Kansas.

To view this 12-1/2 minute video on-line just click on the following link:

The Science of Stem Cells -- Finding Cures AND Protecting Life

The Science of Stem Cells -- Finding Cures AND Protecting Life (Spanish Version)

NOW PLEASE TAKE ACTION

A massive statewide postcard campaign has been undertaken to convince our Governor and Legislators that we want action taken to ensure that only ethical research is done in Kansas. There are 2 bills awaiting a vote in the Kansas House that should be passed and signed into law by the Governor.

H.B. 2098 is about definitions, the defining of certain terms relating to human cloning and embryonic stem cell research (ESCR). This bill incorporates the definitions from the 2002 National President's Council on Bioethics and would serve both supporters and opponents in the debate on human cloning and ESCR. Debate on these issues would be nearly impossible if there wasn't a common understanding of the definition of the words that are used.

Another bill, H.B. 2255, would prevent state tax dollars from being used to create cloned human embryos. Currently in most states, including Kansas, there are no restrictions with regard to human cloning.

Postcards have been printed and sent to every pastor of every parish in Kansas. The Bishops are requesting that every Catholic of voting age fill out, sign and send in their postcard to the Kansas Catholic Conference. We in turn will make sure that a copy of your postcard is delivered to the Governor, your State Senator and your State Representative asking that they support these 2 bills.