February 19, 2003

A C T I O N  A L E R T

A496 (Written Advance Directives for Disposition of Frozen Human Embryos)

ISSUE: Under this bill couples could select the option of donating their unused embryos, stored in clinics, for research. The New Jersey Catholic Conference opposes this bill. The only way to obtain embryonic stem cells is to kill the living human embryo. We believe it is more important than ever to stand for the principle that government must not treat any living human being as research material, as a mere means for benefit to others. In short, we should not support research that relies on the destruction of some defenseless human beings for the possible benefit to others.

STATUS: A496 passed the Assembly by a one vote margin on February 10, 2003. The Senate may now schedule A496 at anytime for a committee hearing.

ACTION:

1. Contact your State Senator immediately and urge him or her to vote “NO” on this legislation. If you do not know who your Senator is, call the Office of Legislative Services at 1-800-792-8630 or go to the Legislature’s webpage at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp

2. Contact Governor McGreevey’s office at 609-292-6000 and ask for Constituent Relations or send him a fax at 609-292-3454 and tell him that you are opposed to this legislation