“Superman” Actor Blames Bush and Catholics for Lack of Progress


BEDFORD, New York (LSN.ca) – Christopher Reeve, the 'Superman' actor who was paralyzed seven years ago in a riding accident, blames the lack of progress in spinal cord injury research on what he sees as the Bush administration's reliance on Catholic advisors — even though Bush was inaugurated less than two years ago.

“We've had a severe violation of the separation of church and state in the handling of what to do about this emerging technology,” Reeve told Britain's Guardian newspaper. “There are religious groups — the Jehovah's Witnesses, I believe — who think it's a sin to have a blood transfusion. Well, what if the president for some reason decided to listen to them, instead of to the Catholics, which is the group he really listens to in making his decisions about embryonic stem cell research?” Reeve claims. “Where would we be with blood transfusions?” If there had been full government support, he continues, “I think we could have been, and should now be, much further along with scientific research than we actually are, and I think I would have been in quite a different situation than I am today.”

Previously, Reeve, who played Superman in 1978, was on record saying: “Actually, the Republicans have done more for the disabled and for funding medical research … than the Democrats. But on many other issues, such as the environment, education, gun control, choice, I support the Democrats … I would like to see a Democratic Congress.”

The former actor's desperate campaign for cloning and embryonic stem cell research has ignored the reality that ethical adult stem cell research has been vastly more promising in treatment for diseases and injuries.

To read The Guardian's report click here.

To visit Christopher Reeve's homepage click here.

(This update courtesy of Lifesite News.)



Catholic League Accepts Christopher Reeve's Apology

Actor Christopher Reeve has issued an apology to Catholics for his remarks implying that President Bush and the Catholic Church conspired to obstruct research governing stem cells and therapeutic cloning. The Catholic League criticized Reeve yesterday for his comments. League president William Donohue addressed Reeve’s statement today:

“It was commendable of Christopher Reeve to extend an apology to Catholics for his unfortunate remarks,” Donohue said.

“It would be remiss of me not to mention, however, my disappointment with that section of Reeve’s apology which speaks to his continued support for the principle of separation of church and state. This was wholly unnecessary – only ignorant Americans would disagree. What is troubling here is the implication: it suggests that it is improper for religious men and women to try to affect public policy. But religious apartheid is always objectionable, even when dressed in constitutional cloth.

“This caveat notwithstanding, Reeve’s apology strikes us as sincere and therefore brings closure to the issue.”

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