STUDENTS at University College Cork have teamed up with Munster MEP, Kathy Sinnott MEP to host a special public meeting on destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Research next Tuesday, November 25 at 7.30pm on the university campus.

Following a decision by the governing body of UCC and college president, Dr Micheal Murphy to allow embryonic stem cell research to go ahead, the society believe it is important to “educate people to the lie behind the research”.

“Embryonic Stem Cell Research means that embryos, also known as unborn babies, will be used for research purposes,” explained Jacinta Daly, auditor of the society.

“What people don’t know is that ethical adult stem cell and cord blood stem cells are already being used in research around the world and proving fruitful when it comes to finding treatments for diseases. Research on embryos has been going on longer and it has not provided one positive result yet.”

"Unfortunately, we had invited Dr Murphy to both attend and speak on the night but we have been informed that he is out of the country and will not be able to join us.”

The meeting will take place in Boole 3 and UCC science professor, William Reville, has also agree to speak at the event along with ethicist Josephine Quintavalle, the founder of Comment On Reproductive Ethics (www.corethics.org) in Britain. Josephine will be speaking on embryonic research, the ‘Egg Trade’ and exploitation of women, both negative spin-off effects of embryonic stem cell research.

Kathy Sinnott, MEP for Munster and a long-time campaigner for pro-life issues will also speaking on the EU perspective of the destructive research.

“It was only last week, it came to light that a surgeon in Britain is helping people recover after having a heart attack by using their own stem cells to repair the damage caused by the attack. This is the type of research we are encouraging UCC to be taking part in, not embryonic research which has proven to be both unethical and unproductive,” explained Ms Sinnott who is vice president of the European Parliament Intergroup on Family and Child Protection and Bioethics

“As well as this, Irish scientists Colm McGuikan, a leading researcher in cord blood stem cell, has left his top position in the UK in protest over embryonic stem cell research. Mr McGuikan was a director of a leading Stem Cell Research centre in Britain.”

The meeting is open to both students and the public and everyone is advised to be there early. A forum for questions will follow the speakers.

For further information please call 021 2429788 or email Kathy.sinnott@europarl.europa.eu

Source : www.kathysinnott.ie


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