Parliamentarian upset by cloning announcement

Mrs. Scallon represents the Ulster Connaught constituency of Ireland in the Parliament. Better known to many Americans as the Irish singer "Dana," Mrs. Scallon is an advocate for respect-for-life issues in Ireland and the European Parliament.

She will speak about the Irish government's upcoming referendum on abortion on Dec. 2 in Latham.

Taboo broken

Mrs. Scallon said it is unethical to publicly fund the use of embryos for research, any research that results in the death of embryos and any form of cloning. That attitude does not prohibit all research, she said, because adult stem cells and the use of the placenta are ethically acceptable.

"There are many forms of research," she said. "Research success with adult stem cells has been more impressive than those using embryo cells."

Human life

"It is respect for human dignity," she said, a respect that begins at the moment of conception and continues until natural death.

It is troubling to Mrs. Scallon that two member countries of the European Parliament have legalized euthanasia, which she fears has been done because the number of elderly is increasing. "We have an aging population," she said. "There are not enough young [to care for the elderly]. It costs money to take care of the elderly," a situation that tempts people to eliminate the problem by encouraging the aged to die.

Catholicism

As a member of parliament, Mrs. Scallon hopes to help Ireland retain its values while continuing to become a modern nation. "What does Ireland have to give except its values?" she said.

She is pleased that the Irish constitution stipulates that any changes to it related to values must be voted on by the people. "The people must have the last say," she said.

Preserving Ireland's traditional values is important as some Europeans would like to extinguish them. "There is a movement in Europe that is anti-life, anti-family, anti-Christian," said Mrs. Scallon. "It is a battle to keep our values."

(Mrs. Scallon will speak on Dec. 2 at the Century House in Latham. Proceeds from the brunch, sponsored by the Capital Region Pro-Life Council, will benefit Birthright programs in the Capital District. The cost is $27.50. Call 482-0349 or 463-7575. She will also sing in a benefit for Catholic Charities at Eamonn's in Loudonville at 5 p.m. The same concert will launch Eamonn McGirr's new CD, "The Way Back." Admission is $15. Call 463-2414.)

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