Europe Closer to Funding Embryonic Stem Cell Research

THE GUARDIAN, Nov. 30 — Members of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to reject a report calling for a ban on funding of stem-cell research that involves the destruction of human embryos, the London daily reported.

The EU report, which had been heavily amended, left most parliamentarians disappointed with the final version, The Guardian said.

If adopted in its original form, the report could have interfered with the European Union's plan to spend about $267 million over four years on health-related genetic research. Much of that would go to research on aborted embryos and those created in in vitro fertilization processes.

The Guardian also said the European Commission, the EU's executive, issued a statement reaffirming its opposition to creating human embryos for research uses.

Cardinal Glemp Calls for Spiritual Values in EU Constitution

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, Nov. 30 — Cardinal Jozef Glemp, the primate of Poland, said that a constitution for the European Union should provide the bloc with a firm foundation of spiritual values, the news service reported.

“A constitution should be adopted for the European Union in the spirit of the principles expressed by its founding fathers after World War II so that the idea of the Union is not limited to economic and financial questions, but evokes spiritual questions as well,” the cardinal said in an interview published in the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita. Without a spiritual underpinning, the European idea “won't live more than one generation,” he warned.

Cardinal Glemp reiterated his support for Poland's bid to join the European Union. A November poll found that 61% of Poles favor joining the Union, the French news agency said.

Australian Parents Offended by Abortion Offer

THE HERALD SUN, Nov. 29 — A couple in Australia questioned what seems to be an increasing practice of offering abortion to mothers who have a multiple pregnancy, the Australian daily reported.

The newspaper featured an interview with Melissa and Anthony Chapman, who described being offered “fetal reduction” right after learning that Mrs. Chapman was carrying triplets. Chapman said his wife's doctor probably saw that they were surprised by the news of triplets and “wondering how we were going to cope with five children under 5.”

“He said, ‘Well, you've got two other kids … there's this thing called fetal reduction.’ I was just staggered,” Chapman said. “To tell you 10 minutes after you find out you're having triplets not to have one or more is a bit much.”

The Chapmans said that after a trouble-free pregnancy, two girls and a boy were born, and the family is happy.

“To look at them now and think one mightn't be here … you could-n't,” Mrs. Chapman said. Life is not always easy, she admitted, but extra expenses and efforts are worth it. “No matter what happens, you can usually cope.”