Adult stem cell research the best way forward

A COMPASSIONATE electorate has voted no to the imposition of abortion in three referenda. It is difficult to understand why Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin now plans to vote yes to funding embryonic stem cell research at the EU council of ministers.

An embryo belongs to the human family as much as any minister. All were once embryos. Happily, like all of us, they were allowed to live. It is a sad day for democracy when those elected by the people misrepresent their views on attaining power.

The minister must know that adult stem cell research is the way forward. Unlike embryonic stem cell research, there are no weird practices such as cloning, freezing, thawing or deadly experiments on the tiniest of mortals. Top scientists are finding adult stem cells in the marrow, the blood, human skin, the umbilical cord.