The letter posted below is posted as a ‘template’ and we encourage persons concerned about misuse of embryonic stem cell research to use it or modify it when writing to the Minister of Health Tony Ryall and also to their local MP concerning this issue. The writing of letters to express concern is regarded as a very important mechanism to advise the government of opposition to this proposed research which we see as a gross violation of the sanctity of human life.

Dear Sir,

I amopposed to the recommendation made to the Minister of Health, by the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology, [ACART] that permission be granted for the use of human embryos for embryonic stem cell research in New Zealand.

It is a scientific fact that human life begins at conception. At the moment of conception the human embryo is endowed by its Creator with human rights, the foundation of these rights is the right to life, these rights are inalienable and can not be taken away. From conception the human embryo should be accorded the respect that is due to the human person.

Human embryos are members of the human family and should be respected and protected.

Embryonic stem cell research entails the destruction of the human embryo. This is immoral and a violation of the human rights of the human embryo. The human embryo is not a potential human being but a unique and unrepeatable miracle of God’s loving creation. The destruction of the human embryo is a violation of the fifth commandment of God, Thou shalt not kill.

.ACART contends that the use of so called ‘spare embryo’s from IVF clinics for embryonic research is justified on the grounds that these embryo’s are not required for implantation and well be destroyed. The end does not justify the means. The destruction of human persons can never be justified to promote medical research. It is believed that there are between 5,000 to 7,000 human embryos stored and frozen in IVF Clinics in New Zealand.

We have had more than ten years of research on embryonic stem cell lines that have produced no medical cures. Right to life applauds ethical research with  umbilical cord stem cells and adult stem cells that have produced more than seventy treatments for medical conditions, many more are anticipated.

I request that you defend life by rejecting the recommendation of ACART to allow for the use of human embryos for research, and to reject an 18 months moratorium allowing for more research.

Ken Orr

For Right to Life