He can't benefit from umbilical cord stem cells because his immune system is to weak to withstand chemo to wipe out his immune system so he can use donor ucsc it would kill him with esc there is no need for chemo! I choose life for my son and many other sick dying curable people!

amanda , cincinnati, usa

do people really think it is possible to adopt out millions and millions of embryos that are cyro-frozen and are to be destroyed because they are expired. when we can't even adopt out all of children that are born and then left in foster care until they reach adulthood and then left with nothing.

amanda , cincinnati, usa

As a recipient of my own stem cells for the repair of my knee, I'd prefer that research focused on salamanders and lobsters. Both can replace lost limbs. I am sure that research in these areas can resolve masses of medical conditions,

John T, Los Angeles, USA

Simply put, the Catholic Church is making a stand against the Culture of Death. Our secular, liberal society holds life in low esteem and the Church is opposed to that, as am I and anyone else with an informed conscience who does not ride the transient wave of the brief present.

Griff, Cardiff, Wales

As an elected president of a democracy, Obama should make a counter proposal to the Vatican. He should tell them to dump their Bronze Age fairy tales and medieval dogma and drag themselves into the 21st century.

Either that or just ignore the backward, unelected theocrats like everyone else.

Jason Mead, Bristol, England

It's only embryonic stem cell research that the Vatican has a problem with. The US is in a financial free for all. ESC is a procedure that has no proven results. But adult and fat stem cells have some proven results. How about focusing attention on procedures that produce results?

Bernie, Chicago, US

Sean UK, it is our own sin we should be repentant about; but, that requires courage and humility. Yes, all fall short of the glory of God, including you and me. Many prayers for ya!

Jean, Buena Park, USA

embryos arent the only source of stem cells, they have found just as many usable stem cells in umbilical cords and other areas of the body, even teeth have stem cells. So i agree that using embryos is the wrong way to go but to deny stem cell research all together will hinder our medical evolution.

Eric, Rowlett, United States

John, Glasgow- Amen, brother. If only my fellow Americans knew as much about Jefferson and his brilliant band of fellow liberal agnostics. How sad that we were founded by intellectuals, yet have reverted to the Puritans.

As for EBC's- the reason there's been no result is because of the ban.

Patrick, Philadelphia, USA

An embryo is still a human being!you and i are human beings that came from embryos!!! so nobody is allowed to use it for whatever good end one may think..The problem in this world is that they think only of what they "can do but not the question of should one do it. adult stem cell is a gud alt.

denden, vancouver, canada

I think the church needs to stay out of politics and pay more attention to their church and what their priests are doing to children.

Nancy, Doylestown, USA

it is obvious the vatican is living in the past. stem cells can sevre for a very good pupose, with more research (that we could not do under pres bush) it could allow more medical discoveries.

joe, cherry hill, america

This clergy sleeping with young kids are no saint either

sean, manchester, uk

"I am not afraid of the priests. They have tried upon me all their various batteries, of pious whining, hypocritical canting, lying and slandering, without being able to give me one moment of pain." Thomas Jefferson

Lets hope that Obama is worthy of the office he holds.

John, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Stem Cell Research may just in fact help those suffering from Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease, and I am all for it! My Grandmother got the illness at 42, and now my mother has it at 65. If it can help, I am all for it! People need to help the living and give them a chance.

josh, berlin, germany

Thank goodness for the Catholic Church and its courage to stand in the face of Godlessness and shout out the truth. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, "..in a battle between truth and darkness, truth cannot lose". Go truth!!! Go Catholic Church!

Rita, Calgary, Canada

maybe one day jesus will walk the earth healing the sick again, but until that day comes man must relay on his own devices for curing our sick and providing a better quality of life in this world. i watched my grandfather wither away slowly and painfully for 8 years, and prayers did nothing for him.

Jonah, cleveland, oh, usa

Very Simple? Maybe in a theocracy. There is no rational reason to suggest that using excess embryos from invitro fertilization affronts human life. But you hardly see social conservatives banning invitro procedures - they want there babies! - no matter how many embryos they destroy in the process

Mike, New York, USA

The day the Vatican sell of it's vast treasures, fine art and rich cloth and use the money to feed, clothe and shelter the poor and needy is the day I would care to listen to their opinion.

Phill, The Wirral, England

The life of a human person begins when? The human person goes through different stages of human developement (zygote, embryo, fetus, infant, adult). You do not seem to get this! If we define personhood based on functionality or development, then what about the handicap or dissabled? NOT SMART!

john michael, St. Louis, us

Thank God for the Vatican! They alone have the courage to speak up for the defense of humanity. Unlike "Vernon" they don't despise "the masses".

Charles Ryder, Providence, USA

So many bigoted people, dismissing arguments simply because they come from Catholics. I am an athiest, a scientist, and I have significant discomfort over using human embryos for research. If you can't see this, consider instead an orphaned baby. Would it be OK to use that baby for research?

Nick, Rotherham, UK

To AT, there are many things that we KNOW that we shouldn't DO because they are NOT God's will. God does not approve of murder and using stem cells from embryos who are murdered via abortion, atomic & nuclear bombs, illegal drugs, pornography, etc. GUILE is an un-Godly trait, look it up!

MR, CA, USA

Life begins at conception-- refer to any embryology text. Each embryo has his own genetic code and drives his own development. We were all embryos, newborns, adolescents, etc.

Every life has human dignity.

Appreciation of human dignity ended slavery and it will someday end abortion.

Andrew, NY, NY

The ignorance of these posts is astounding. Have any of you looked into what the Catholic Church actually teaches on these issues. And please, someone post the illness, disease or anything that embryonic stem cell research has cured. I would list what adult stem cells has cure, but I am only limited

Michael, Charlotte-NC, USA

It is very simple. One cannot intentionally destroy life, even to save a life.

Michael, Charlotte-NC, USA

The Catholic Church does not support fetal stem cell research because it destroys a living human embryo in order to extract the embryo’s stem cells. The Church teaches that all life is sacred, from conception until natural death.

Dan Hunter, HURDLE MILLS, USA

If the Catholic Church wants to be a political action communittee...TAX THEM.

Religious groups also need reasons and arguments to support their positions. They can't simply tell eveyone to do things their way becasue they believe they have a hotline to Zeus/Allah/Buddha/Xenu/Santa/etc.

Sasah, Atlanta,

"He called for an intensive effort to improve "both medical and pastoral" aid to children, saying that four million babies in the world died each year in their first 26 days of life."
The first 26 days of a baby's life occur in the first trimester. I wish the Cardinal would get his facts straight.

Michael Leland, New Orleans, USA

Any organisation that has a health minister yet refuses to recognise the importance of condoms in preventing the AIDS epidemic in Africa shouldn't be given the time of day on important health issues. They're only interested in protecting their own doctrine

Sophie, Birmingham,

The above comments are coming from angry disrespectful people
All this goes against God, God is life, love and peace ! Enough bashing my church and my God. You know nothing of Gods words or His works.
Go in His peace.

ANN, MASSAPEQUA PK, NY, USA

Our fore fathers had the foresight to include a separation between church and state in the constitution for a reason. Further medeling by the catholic church in our governments affairs makes them an enemy to all who swore to defend the constitution. The church had better learn its place.

Killuminati, USA, USA

What I cannot stand is the fact that in the article, the reporter says "however"...There is no however. If you disagree on practically ALL of what the future President believes, you should NOT work with him on ANYTHING! It's really simple, people. The ends DO NOT justify the means. Period.

Elizabeth Gill, Frederick, United States of America

The Catholic church and their doctrines do not live in the reality of the present day and this they will continue to show through their centuries old methods of trying to brainwash the people of the world. God is not great and their interpretation of him and and Christianity is even worse.

Derek, Mebane, USA

Just because you turn your backs on God, does not mean He does not exist, and you know in your hearts that killing is wrong, whether the Bible says so or not. "Producing" embryos and destroying them is killing, no matter how you look at it, no matter how you spin it.

R. Lauk, Fernley, United States

"The Catholic Church has NEVER revised, changed, or morphed the basic doctrines of Jesus Christ".... except for, just off the top of my head... the concept of limbo? which they finally admitted was bogus. or what about the selling of indulgences? that was pretty awesome... and nowhere in the bible.

chris g, houston tx, usa

Its amazing how often you hear non-christian people complain about christians forcing their views on other people when in fact with their complaining, they are doing the exact same thing in which they are complaining about. Forcing liberal views on other people. Mary above is correct.

Charles, Richlands, USA

Science teaches that a new human being is created at the moment of conception. Yet you hear nothing of this - Real Science is ignored for the sake of ideology.

Maria, Manchester, UK

The moral compass have been broken in the Catholic Church for a very long time, the Vatican should review it's doctrine on spirituality and religious freedoms. If stem cell research is good for nothing, then let scientific analysis determine the genitic scope or potential for it's medical potential

Egland, St Albans, United States

The Vatican has no right whatsoever to represent any citizen of the United States.
There are definate laws in this country that were designed to seperate church from state, and for this very reason.
The Bible was written by those with extremely limited knowledge during an extremely limited era...

Dave Campbell, Phoenix,

The so-called christians support babies from "conception to birth"! After that, it is every child for themselves!

Teddy Brown, Madison, USA

Actually, scientists have recently discovered a way to create stem cells from other types of cells, without destroying embryos. Therefore, the stem-cell debate has been effectively resolved and the Vatican is making a fuss over nothing.

John, Dallas, USA

Just another archaic attitude by outdated thinking Vatican. The world will look back at this in 20-30 years, as 8 wasted Bush years that the medical community could have been finding cures for many diseases including those that affect children.

Roger, Milwaukee, WI

God the Creator of all things visible and invisible is The Giver of life. God's warning is never hollow who can neither deceive nor be deceived unlike science without being guided by True faith in God is but fallacy, or is like a blind man leading the blind.Cherish and love the human embryonic life.

James, Wenonah, US

talk talk talk and no one has researched anything. Inform yourself...repent and return to the Gospel.
One day it will be too late. God have mercy on us all. Science only exists because of God. Each of us breathes and is because God holds us into existance...think think and seek the truth.

carolyn, Charlotte, usa

The church has been wrong over the ages on so many things, what makes them authorities on anything, the Bible???? In Genesis god creates the earth and day and night by day 2. On day 3 or 4 he creates the sun and moon. How did he get day without a sun on day 2. Just fables for the masses!!!!!!!!!

Tom Elkhart, Seattle, USA

The Vatican is:

Matthew 5:13-16: You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? ... You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Ryan Kashi, London, UK

Let us get clear here: neither the Church or even W Bush are against Stem Cell research. Adult and unbilical Stem cell research have already produced incredibly better results compared to Embryonic Stem Cell research which so far has been useless and destroys an Innocent Human Life.

mario perez, mississauga, canada

To David H. London, embryonic stem cell's come from an embryo. As a former embryo I would protect embryos from death. "Thou shalt not commit murder" is in the old and new testament. Our Catholic Church is a loving mother who protects life. Gid bless you. Sincerely Carole

T Carole LaChance, Methuen, USA

Gunther and David.
Research a bit more. The Catholic Church is both Holy and Human. The Holy part which Jesus founded is what is continued throught the Holy Spirit through Our Pope today. The human side...inclined to sin and in need of forgivenss. Have Mercy on us all. Peace in Christ.

carolyn , Charlotte, USA

It is really nice that we have an institution in our modern era - the Roman Catholic Church - that continues to hold fast to the perennial teachings that are the foundation for Western Civilization. Without sound and objective moral principles, we are nothing more than technological barbarians.

John, Houston, USA

"The Catholic Church has NEVER revised, changed, or morphed the basic doctrines of Jesus Christ in the 2,000 year history as an organized Faith Community ie adultery, celibacy, abortion, murder"

Are you sure? Will put your hands on the Bible and swear on that statement Mr.Roberts?

sam, Los Angeles, USA

I dont get it. It's okay to flush an embryo down the toilet but it's not okay to use that same embryo to find cures for the sick? Didn't Jesus say help the poor and heal the sick?

The Vatican has no say in American politics, no more than the Devil has a say in the daily workings of heaven.

sam, Los Angeles, USA

The Vatican has & will stand up for what is right. It measures in the eyes of God NOT man. Today we have deviated so much that we dont seem to know right from wrong. The Catholic Church has its divine duty - being the light of the world. May God have mercy on us ALL.

Nathan, Penang, Malaysia

I have to wonder why in the world are there all these embryos to be debated about in the first place?

Stephanie, Pittsburgh, USA

Since there is nothing to be gained by doing embryonic stem cell research, because it has been proven that they are too unstable, why lift the ban on them? Oh, that's right, let's not focus on any true value, let's just go along with anything Obama says, since "Change" is what we need. Good call.

KD, Johnson City, USA

The Vatican has every right to represent the 67 million American citizens in the United States of America The Catholic Church has NEVER revised, changed, or morphed the basic doctrines of Jesus Christ in the 2,000 year history as an organized Faith Community ie adultery, celibacy, abortion, murder

Theodore J Roberts, Columbus, United States

The Vatican should keep out of other nation's business of deciding what is useful and of value. The Catholic Church has revised its own rules over the centuries from Popes with mistresses and armies to belated celibacy and homosexual priests. - No one will forget the inquisition.
"Tend to your own".

Gunther Steinberg, Portola Valley CA, United States

The bible says nothing about stem cell research. The christian guide book is the bible and so really the churches should shut up about things about which they know nothing. The days of the inquisition and witch burning are over. We don't want them back

David H, London,

Do the "four million babies in the world [who die] each year in their first 26 days of life" include the 2/3 of fertilized eggs that never implant in the womb? Or is Carinal Barragan being inconsistent about when he thinks life begins? (In fairness, maybe he didn't use those words.)

Bob, Mountain View, USA

Hi Ken! Google popes and you'll see there have been at least two African popes already in the first few centuries of the church's history. G'day! (my sister says if you want to see the future visit Australia, way to go!)

elizabeth cleary, minneapolis, usa

Didn't God provide us with the guile and knowledge to embark on Stem Cell Research in the first place? If God didn't want humans to pursue this path, God would not have enabled it. At what point does something move from being God's Will to being human's Will against God's wishes? No sense.

AT, Sydney,

of course the vatican is right on this one. Stem cell research is a morally dangerous maze. God protect us from the scientists with burning, burning ambition.

michael, harrogate, uk

Why are you bothered by what the Catholic Church says if you aren't Catholic?The fact of the matter is that eveyone knows instinctively that the Church is right about stem cells,abortion,etc.You sound like you're trying to convince yourself the Church is wrong.Otherwise why do you care?

JJ, Agawam, USA

Funny, I don't recall seeing any bishops or cardinals on the ballot at my polling place??

Chuck in VA, Richmond, VA

What has the Vatican to do with our presidency? Maybe if they would concentrate more on human rights and there anti-God idea about gays, then I might want to listen to what they say.

Randall Peasley, Portland, United States

We, as a nation, have turned our backs on God. God forgive the United States of America. Just to instruct the ignorant as apparent in these previous comments, it is "embryonic" stem cell research that has proved disastrous and not of any benefit to mankind, not stem cell research itself.

Diane, northville, usa

Hi Kazuki, Tokio,
I don’t follow your argument. When has the Vatican Health Minister claimed that cell research has no purpose?

The Vatican Health Minister has stated that research on adult stem cells and umbliical cords had been shown to have "positive value", according to the article at least!

Lou, Leeds, uK

Adult stem cell research (which is ethical) has produced useful results. Embryonic stem cell research has produced nothing. Embryonic stem cells are not "true" stem cells. Human life begins when the human genome is activated. When an embryo is destroyed it is a human being that is destroyed.

jane, Gloucester, UK

In Aug of 2001, Bush allowed researched on existing human embryonic stem cells that were no longer needed. Soon after we had 9/11. My fear is what will happen to our country when Obama reverses the executive orders.

wilma, charleston,

"Is it time we had a black pope"
The Pope can be black ,green,purple or blue.That does not change the teachings of the church.

gerald miller, wilmingon,de., USA

A typical knee-jerk reaction from the religious diehards. Go for it Obama, along with condoms for the AIDS-ridden peoples of Africa. Let the Vatican PONTIFICATE, as usual .That after all is their (only) role. Pity so many gullible souls listen.

TontyWilson, London, UK

Is it time we had a black pope?

Ken, Sydney, Australia

In response to Kazuki's statement of "How foolish to claim that stem cell research has no purpose when the Vatican has itself a "Health Minister".

You'll find that the "Health Minister" was referrring to INFANT stem cell research, which has NEVER produced ANY health benefits, ADULT SCR has. STUDY

Mary, Oxford, USA

I am in total agreement with the Vatican warning. May God have mercy on us. We have taken over God's creative role and we also want to tell Him how to run things.
Vernon, don't breed them - abstain. We are talking I take it, of human beings and not the breeding of pigs and other such animals.

Grace Saunders, Kingston, Jamaica

How foolish to claim that stem cell research has no purpose when the Vatican has itself a "Health Minister".

Once again, science provides when religion fails miserably.

Kazuki, Tokyo, Japan

A hollow warning indeed. The Vatican would make much better use of its time and energy by educating the masses about having children only when they can be afforded. If you can't feed 'em, don't breed 'em!

Vernon, Atlanta, USA