October 12, 1999.

Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Hastert: Our opinions about embryonic stem cell research reflect several different religious perspectives: Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and Islam. While they do not represent a single voice from these religious communities, they do offer a collective belief that is based on similar views about certain moral and ethical questions.

According to our religious beliefs, all human life must be protected. However, they also indicate that there is a significant difference between an embryo suspended in liquid nitrogen that will never be implanted inside a womb, and an unborn child who is already in the womb.

Our religious beliefs also stress the importance of compassion. Thus, we support embryonic stem cell research because it would use these frozen or otherwise discarded embryos to help ease the suffering of those with catastrophic diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's, cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, osteoporosis and arthritis.

As theologians, we put a great deal of importance upon the need for ethical standards in biomedicine. Currently, stem cell research is being conducted solely in the private sector, where it is not subject to the important guidelines developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- parameters that reflect critical input from ethicists and theologians. However, the guidelines would only come into effect with federal funding, which is another reason we support moving forward with the research under NIH. In addition, federal funding would not only speed the discovery of cures, but ensure infrastructure is in place that will guarantee ethical conduct and maximize benefit to society.

Our religious beliefs tell us that federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is worthy of federal support for millions across the country who are suffering from diseases. We hope you will join us and support stem cell research through the NIH.

We look forward to your support for this research, as the lives of millions are counting on you.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, University of Judaism

Margaret Farley, Ph.D., Professor of Christian Ethics, Yale University Divinity School

Nancy J. Duff, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theological Ethics, Princeton Theological Seminary

Abdulaziz Sachedina, Ph.D., Department of Religious Studies, University of Virginia