CBCP: Embryonic stem cell treatment immoral

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday renewed its opposition to the embryonic stem cell treatment in the country, saying the procedure is "immoral."

CBCP-Episcopal Commissionon Bioethics chairman, Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, said the medical treatment entails killing of a human being to cure an ill person.

"Iyong embryonic stem cell, ginagamit yung embryo, if you take the stem cell of the embryo you kill the embryo, you kill the human person. So, it’s immoral," Bishop Oliveros said in an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas.

The prelate also warned Filipinos against undergoing the so-called animal stemcell or animal fresh cells therapy being done in Germany.

He said that this kind of stem cell procedure is not allowed because it is still under experimental stage in Germany, wherein stem cells of cows and sheeps will be put in a person.

"Yung animal stem cell o animal fresh cells ay kailangan pang siyasatin ng siyensya at medisina kung ano talaga ang effectivity nito, so maari pa ring magkaroon ng side effects," Bishop Oliveros said.

The bishop, however, pointed out that the Church sees no wrong in adult stem cell treatment saying it is "autologous stem cell therapy", wherein the stem cell that would go into a patient comes from a living person.