Whereas, that defense understandably will entail the willingness of the Church to oppose certain practices of society, even if some such practices enjoy the protection of law; and
Whereas, the Fetal Tissue Transplant Program, since its receipt of federal monies in 1993, has accelerated its practices, some of which admittedly include the removal of organs from still-living aborted fetuses; and
Whereas, the medical community itself is unable to reach a consensus on the long-term effectiveness of some of the fetal tissue experiments; and
Whereas, the church of Jesus Christ remains the only advocate that many of these pre-borns have, and given the stated "belief in the sanctity of unborn human life" (¶ 71 of the "Social Principles"); and
Whereas, the use of tissue from aborted fetuses can lead to further dehumanization of the human person while also leading to rationalizations and more widespread instances of abortion as researchers call for more organs (from anelecephics, and from other handicapped and non-handicapped persons);
Therefore, be it resolved, that the General Conference voice its opposition to any experimentation employing organs or tissue from aborted fetuses, either living or dead.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22349-CS-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference