05-CloningAdsPressRelease

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INFORMATION AND NEWS RELEASE

March 8, 2005 Boston – This week, the Roman Catholic Bishops of Boston, Fall River, Springfield and Worcester are taking the unprecedented step of launching an ad campaign in the secular media on a public policy issue. Acting through their public policy office, the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the Bishops are running ads in numerous outlets against cloning and embryo research.

The ads raise concerns about resorting to experiments that manipulate and destroy human life and question the push among some state lawmakers to endorse such research within the Commonwealth. The campaign will place print advertisements in more than 25 newspapers around the state and television and radio spots also have begun airing this week across Massachusetts. See TV AD, hear RADIO AD and read PRINT AD.

“The public is being misled into believing that the stem cell proposals at the State House do not involve cloning or the destruction of human life,” said Maria Parker, Associate Director for Public Policy, Massachusetts Catholic Conference. “The Bishops wanted the public to know what is really at stake,” Parker added.

The advertising campaign clarifies the ethical concerns surrounding embryonic stem cell research, which takes the lives of human embryos. The ads highlight the advantages of adult stem cell research which harms no one and has already benefited patients. The campaign educates the public on what “somatic cell nuclear transfer” really is– the scientific term for human cloning.

“The legislation, driven by special interest groups, is laden with scientific terms that are confusing to well-intentioned citizens and lawmakers alike. Everyone wants to find cures to diseases and save lives, but inaccurate claims and false hope will only lead to more suffering by those who most need our help,” Ms. Parker said.

The advertisements ask citizens to call Governor Romney and their state legislators on these issues. The campaign follows the joint statement issued last week by the Bishops that calls on policymakers to reject measures promoting unethical research.

“It’s imperative that citizens get accurate information about the science involved and the actual policies being proposed,” Ms. Parker concluded.

The television, radio and print advertisements can be viewed at www.macathconf.org.