Press Room

The governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has given approval for the use of human embryos who are left over from in vitro fertilization, to be used as scientific guinea pigs. This is another step down the slippery slope in the use and destruction of human beings for experimentation.

“There has never been even one incident where embryonic stem cells have succeeded in helping another person. In fact the opposite effect has always occurred,” said Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC). “Yet every day we read about amazing success stories when somatic or adult stem cells are used. The logic for this is easy to understand. When our own cells are used there is no rejection or problems but when another person’s cells are implanted as is the situation when embryonic cells are used, rejection occurs and the recipient must takes costly anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their life,” he continued.

“Prime Minister Stephen Harper opposed embryonic stem cell research in 2002 and voted against Bill C-13 (on reproductive technologies). I expect Mr. Harper and the federal government to reign in the CIHR which at this time answers to the Minister of Health but not the government,” said Mary Ellen Douglas, National organizer CLC.