Youth Defence has welcomes Cardinal Brady’s condemnation of embryonic stem cell research. Speaking during Mass in St John’s Cathedral in Limerick, the Cardinal said that “to plunder human life at its genesis, without respect for its inherent dignity reflects the very moral attitude which has put our created world in jeopardy”.

Welcoming the Archbishop’s comments Dr Eoghan de Faoite said that the Cardinal had pointed to the central issue in the debate on embryonic stem cell research: that it was always wrong to conduct lethal experiments on human life. “The humanity of the embryo means that this new life has automatic rights, which should not and cannot be waived to satisfy scientific curiosity,” he said. Dr de Faoite said that while Youth Defence had worked to reveal the fact that it was ethical adult stem research which provided successful medical treatments, the primary cause for opposition to embryo research was the humanity of the child.

“The fact is that embryonic stem cell research has proved a failure,” he explained. “But irregardless of success or failure, it remains morally wrong. The right to life must be upheld and respected”.

Youth Defence has led the campaign against embryonic stem cell research in Ireland, with a massive billboard campaign opposing UCC’s plans to begin this lethal research, and a high-profile speaking tour featuring experts Dr David Prentice and Wesley Smith. “We need to keep this pressure on,” said Dr Eoghan de Faoite. “Engaging the public and raising opposition to lethal research is absolutely crucial.”