Killing embryos is never right

WE disagree with Dr Stephen Sullivan and Dr Dolores Dooley on embryonic stem cell research (Letters, May 20).

We believe the recommendation made by the Irish Council for Bioethics, advocating embryonic stem cell research, is deeply flawed for philosophical, scientific and moral reasons.

The core issue is whether it is right ever to destroy embryos. Killing embryos, whether as a consequence of IVF procedures or in pursuit of research aims, violates the golden rule of morality that “the end never justifies the means”.