I NOTE with interest an article on Page 3 of The Catholic Leader (22/4/07) referring to observations made by respected Queensland Catholic bioethicist Ray Campbell, and I offer the following comments.
Legislation to clone human embryos will shortly come before the Queensland Parliament.
I strongly opposed the federal cloning legislation last year that passed the Senate by only one vote.
Respect for human life from its very beginnings is central to the Christian faith.
In addition, there is no scientific evidence on the table that cloning is necessary in order to make medical breakthroughs to alleviate suffering.
Adult stem cell technology, using the patient’s own cells, is increasingly recognised worldwide as the way of the future.
I secured Federal Government funding of $21 million for the world’s first ever Adult Stem Cell Centre at Griffith University in Brisbane.
This will help encourage their wonderful work in showing how adult stem cells can be grown into muscle, nerve, kidney, heart cells and so on.
Our very own Queensland researchers have shown that embryonic stem cells and cloning are not needed to find cures. In fact, they have many drawbacks such as their capacity to form tumours.
I encourage all to express any concerns with legislating to allow cloning in Queensland with your state member.
If they are made aware of your concerns, they will think carefully before they vote.
The Senate vote was very close and your voice can make a difference in this very important debate.
RON BOSWELL
Senator for Queensland
Leader of the Nationals in the Senate
Brisbane, Qld
