Petition to the General Conference, 2004,
The United Methodist Church

In accordance with the instructions for preparation of petitions,
the following is submitted for action by the General Conference, 2004.

PAGE NUMBER: Page 1 of 2

SUGGESTED TITLE/SUBJECT MATTER: Support of Stem Cell Research

PETITION CONCERNS: New Resolution

FINANACIAL IMPLICATIONS: None

Petition Text:

WHEREAS the United Methodist Church believes that health care is a basic human right and that it is unjust to construct or perpetuate barriers to physical wholeness or full participation in community (Social Principles 162T), and

WHEREAS, a wider availability of embryonic stem cells for medical research holds the potential for discovery of effective treatment of a wide variety of diseases and other medical conditions, and

WHEREAS The United Methodist Church recognizes the role of governments in ensuring that each individual has access to those elements necessary to good health (Social Principles 162T), and

WHEREAS, other denominations such as the Episcopal Church have gone on record supporting efforts to widen the availability of embryonic stem cells for medical research (74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church Resolution A014);

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the United Methodist 2004 General Conference go on record in support of those persons who wish to enhance medical research by donating their early embryos remaining after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures have ended, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2004 General Conference urge that the United States Congress pass legislation that would authorize federal funding for derivation of and medical research on human embryonic stem cells that were generated for IVF and remain after fertilization procedures have been concluded, provided that:

    1. these early embryos are no longer required for procreation by those donating them and would simply be discarded;
    2. those donating early embryos have given their prior informed consent to their use in stem cell research;
    3. the embryos were not deliberately created for research purposes;
    4. the embryos were not obtained by sale or purchase; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2004 General Conference of the United Methodist Church urge the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an interdisciplinary oversight body for all research in both the public and private sectors that involves stem cells from human embryos, parthenotes, sperm cells or egg cells, and have this body in place within six months of passing such legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2004 General Conference of the United Methodist Church direct the General Board of Church and Society to communicate this resolution to appropriate members and committees of the United States Congress and to identify and advocate the legislation called for by this resolution.

DATE: November 24, 2003

SUBMITTED BY: Kathryn J. Johnson, on behalf of

PETITIONER IDENTIFICATION: Methodist Federation for Social Action

TELEPHONE: 202-546-8806
FAX: 202-546-6811
E-MAIL: kj@mfsaweb.org

Download PDF of above Petition

Back to General Conference Page