Politics
Tuesday June 10, 2003
See today's LifeSiteNews stories
Arthritis Society Says No To Embryonic Stem Cell Research After Meeting With Knights Of Columbus
TORONTO, June 10, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Soon after LifeSite News published an expose on The Arthritis Society (TAS), revealing a position paper and statements by TAS President and CEO Denis Morrice in support of funding embryonic stem cell research, the Knights of Columbus met with TAS. The Knights of Columbus (KofC) of Ontario, which has given the organization some $15 million, expressed its concerns to members of the TAS Medical Research Advisory Committee at a May 27 meeting.
In a June letter to all Grand Knights in Ontario, KofC Ontario State Deputy Robert Cayea, explains "We discussed our position and that of the Canadian Congress of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Ontario Congress of Catholic Bishops (OCCB) regarding embryonic stem cell research." TAS assured the Knights that they have not yet funded any projects involving embryonic stem cell research, nor received any requests for funding of such research.
An accompanying letter from TAS signed by Ontario Division Chair Heather Howe, acknowledges the statements of the President and CEO on the subject but says that "As the Chair of the Ontario Division I have confirmed that there is no specific Arthritis Society Board-approved policy with respect to embryonic stem cell research."
Moreover, the Knights of Columbus release notes that "the Arthritis Society will not enter into research involving the use of ESCR without prior consultation with the Knights of Columbus." The Arthritis Society letter renders it: "In the event that a research application employing embryonic stem cells is proposed to the Arthritis Society in the future, the appropriate policy committees will address the issues with broad consultation. I assure you that the position of major funding partners, such as the Ontario Knights of Columbus, will play a key role in these deliberations."
LifeSite spoke today with Mr. Grant Ertel the liaison from the KofC Ontario State Council to TAS. Mr. Ertel attended the May 27 meeting with TAS along with State Deputy Cayea and told LifeSite that TAS President Morrice "has no authority to authorize funding of research without the approval of the advisory board." Mr. Ertel assured LifeSite that the advisory board's promise to consult with the Knights prior to embarking on such research is a virtual rejection of such research since "the Knights will never accept it."
To congratulate the Knights:
Ontario State Council, Knights of Columbus
265 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 302
Toronto, Ontario M2J 1S5
Tel: (416) 502-3352 Fax: (416) 502-3353 E-mail
Toll Free: 1-800-759-0959
stateoffice@osc-koc.com
See related LifeSite coverage:
ARTHRITIS SOCIETY DOES NOT OBJECT TO FUNDING EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/may/03052101.html
Knights Of Columbus To Encourage Arthritis Society To Withdraw Support For Embryonic Stem Cell Research
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/may/030522.html
Local Knights Of Columbus Leaders Warn Arthritis Society Against Funding
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/may/03052301.html
Back to TopSHARE THIS STORY: E-mail Print Newsvine Digg Reddit Del.icio.us Facebook
Latest Headlines
- Toronto Archbishop Decries Morgentaler Order of Canada - Sets Sunday as Day of Prayer Against Abortion
- Shock: Connecticut Supreme Court Strikes Down State Ban on Same-sex "Marriage"
- Boycott Successful: McDonald's Abandons Homosexual Activism
- Victoria, Australia Decriminalises Abortion: Criminalises Doctors' Consciences
- Pro-life Efforts Redouble as U.K. Embryo Bill Goes Back to House of Commons
- Mark Steyn "Not Guilty" of "Islamophobia": Human Rights Commission
- Gibbons Charged With Disobeying a Court Order
- Host Desecration Videos Back on YouTube
- Brampton Catholic High School To Host Pro-abort Liberal Leader Stephane Dion
- Exclusive Interview with "Fireproof" Co-Star Erin Bethea
- Oregon Court Orders Frozen Embryos Destroyed, Considered "Property Rights" Issue
- Canadian Archdiocese Advertising Fundraiser for Anti-Catholic Abortion/Condom Promoter
- Barbara Kay - Poland's "preemie miracle" is an embarrassing postscript to Henry Morgentaler's Order of Canada
Most Read this Week
- Canadian Artist and Catholic Novelist Michael O'Brien on Modesty in the Culture of Shamelessness
- Amazing Stories Come out of 2008 Life Chain
- Video Catches Planned Parenthood Covering Up Statutory Rape
- Heartland Christian Church Demands Peaceful Pro-Life LifeChain Participants Leave
- Franciscan University Board Member Backs Obama, School Distances Itself
- The Palin-Biden Debate and Where Things Stand Now
- Mandatory Homosexual Indoctrination in Grade School Survives after Supreme Court Turns Down Case
- The Silver Lining of an Obama Victory
- Harper Would Have to Personally Kill an Unborn Baby to Avoid the Hidden Agenda Charge
- Pro-life Hero Linda Gibbons Arrested Again, Only Days after Acquittal
MORE NEWS: 
LifeSiteNews.com Home Page Last 10 Days Archives Special Reports
Copyright © LifeSiteNews.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives License. You may republish this article or portions of it without request provided the content is not altered and it is clearly attributed to "LifeSiteNews.com". Any website publishing of complete or large portions of original LifeSiteNews articles MUST additionally include a live link to www.LifeSiteNews.com. The link is not required for excerpts. Republishing of articles on LifeSiteNews.com from other sources as noted is subject to the conditions of those sources.