Aborted babies to be used for medicine

Briefing. This is so totally disgusting that it is hard to know what to say. Catholic stroke victimsand their families should find out whether the source of their medication is ethical and refuse to be a party to abortion (by material cooperation) if that is possible.

From CFNews: British scientists have been given permission to treat stroke patients with injections of cells from an aborted baby, it emerged last night. In a world first, stem cells from a 12-week-old foetus will be injected into patients' brains. Experts believe the cells will regenerate areas damaged by strokes and restore movement and mental skills. Anti-abortion groups have condemned the trials and said it was barbaric for society to use aborted foetuses this way.

In the two-year trial, starting next year, four groups of three patients will be given stem cells developed by the biotech company ReNeuron in Surrey. The 'blank cells' can turn into any type of human tissue. The ones needed for the trial have been grown in culture after they were taken from a foetus's brain. The firm says it can produce all the cells it will ever need from one foetus.

ReNeuron applied to start trials in America but was turned down. It now has the go-ahead from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment On Reproductive Ethics, said using a foetus was 'utterly unacceptable'. She added:: 'This is about one life being sacrificed for hypothetical benefits.' [Mail]