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An upstate group, Feminists Choosing Life of New York (FCLNY), has filed suit in state Supreme Court to block the use of public funds to pay women who donate their eggs for embryonic stem cell research.

"New York State has the responsibility to protect women," said Wendy McVeigh, the group's executive director. "Instead, the state is using taxpayers' dollars to entice young, economically vulnerable women to experiment in this medically risky procedure."

In June, the Empire State Stem Cell Board, which governs a $600 million state research fund, announced that women can receive up to $10,000 for donating eggs. In so doing, it became the first government entity in the country to, essentially, buy human eggs. 

Previously, researchers de-pended on obtaining unused embryos left over from in vitro fertilization, which the Catholic Church opposes since the embryos are destroyed in the process. Paying for eggs instead merely adds to the assault on human dignity, they say, since it commodifies human life and exploits women in need. 

"The sale of eggs is a diminishment of the dignity that should be afforded all human life," said Stephen Mawn, associate director for catechist formation and respect life for the Albany diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life. "Some women, due to their economic circumstances, might be coerced into selling off their progeny."

Proponents say the compensation is necessary for research. But both the National Institutes of Health and the National Academies of Sciences recommend against cash or in-kind payments to egg donors due to ethical concerns. 

Even states such as California and Massachusetts, which fund embryonic stem cell research, prohibit payment for eggs on ethical grounds, said Kathleen Gallagher, director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference, which advocates for the state's bishops on public policy issues.

"Payment is an unfair inducement," she added. 

The suit, Feminists Choosing Life of New York v. Empire State Stem Cell Board, argues against payments "to women to engage in this painful and risky procedure, which in part disproportionately appeals to economically vulnerable women."

Further, the suit continues, the process fails to inform women of the risks of egg harvesting.

As have the U.S. bishops, FCLNY argues in favor of research on adult stem cells, which are plentiful, have produced positive results and don't involve the same ethical concerns as embryonic stem cell research. Many scientists have said that success with therapies derived from adult stem cells will render the use of embryonic stem cells unnecessary.[[In-content Ad]]

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