News Archive July - September 2002

9 September 2002 - Senate Holds Inquiry into Embryonic Stem Cell Research

The Secretary
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Suite S1 59
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

• Remember, a submission doesn't have to be long - but it is important that the Committee receives lots of submissions opposing the use of embryos in stem cell research.
• Please promote the use of adult stem cells - see www.stemcellresearch.org or our website.

8 August 2002 - Aborted Foetuses used in embryonic stem cell research

Stem cell researchers, including Alan Trounson, have just revealed that they are planning to use tissue from aborted foetuses to grow embryonic stem cells on for their research.
They maintain that this is allowed so long as the mother gives 'consent', the institution has an ethics committee and the research is done under NHMRC guidelines.
In fact the research is actually being done already in Sydney at the Prince of Wales hospital.
Articles:
Sydney Morning Herald
The Age

An excellent article opposing this development was published the next day in the Sydney Morning Herald. Click here.

Our ethicists tell us that in order for the tissue to be usable, the foetus must be delivered intact and that women may be persuaded to carry the pregnancy for a longer time so that the tissues are more 'mature'

This macabre development makes it even more important for us to speak out against the research and contact our MPs. DO IT TODAY!!!

31 July 2002
Stem Cell Research - Action needed NOW!!!!!

An ACTION ALERT is included below as a pdf document.

Stem Cell Research is a major issue confronting Australia - it is vital that everyone contact their federal MP (and PM and Senators) to tell them we don't want research using embryo stem cells.

The attached ACTION ALERT - a one page sheet - is for you to PRINT and PHOTOCOPY and DISTRIBUTE far and wide. Forward it to all your friends!

Please distribute it to your church to encourage them to take ACTION on this issue.

Remember - a visit OR a SHORT letter to your OWN MP is the key to winning this battle!

10 July 2002
Stem Cell Research - Legislation introduced

Stem Cell Research is the major issue at present! It is vitally important that we contact our own federal MP (and your 12 State Senators) to ask them NOT to support embryo stem cell research. For details of MPs, click here or phone 13 2326.
A personal visit is best - or a handwritten letter!

The proposed cloning and embryo stem cell research bill was introduced to the parliament on 27 June (the last day of sitting before the winter break). The Bill is available below as a pdf file.

We need to
1. Oppose the use of embryos to obtain stem cells.
2. Promote the use of adult stem cells. An excellent article by Michael Cook about obtaining adult stem cells from bone marrow is in today's Herald Sun. All the latest results are on www.stemcellresearch.org
3. Ask your MP to vote against using embryo stem cells.
4. Ask your MP to prohibit any form of cloning.
5. Ask them to insist that two SEPARATE Bills be put to the parliament.

One additional problem with the Bill is that it COMBINES the approval of embryo stem cell research and the PROHIBITION of cloning into one Bill.
We NEED TWO SEPARATE BILLS so MPs can vote against using embryo stem cells and FOR the prohibition of cloning.

A campaign is being organised to oppose this legislation. A 12 page booklet, with articles by experts, has been prepared and is available from the AFA in Melbourne. Email your request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

8 July 2002
Return from Holidays!

Peter and Jenny have just returned from attending a conference and having a week's holiday in sunny Port Macquarie (NSW)! Please pray for them as they catch up on work and emails!