An observation on the Reed/Leiter views

Thanks to Michael for his post on the Reed/Leiter views and responses on embryonic stem cell issues. Michael has invited comments. I recently reviewed the interventions made by the Holy See at the UN debates on embryonic cloning and related stem cell issues. Most of the points advanced by the Holy See reflected the subsequent views contained in Michael's post on the Reed/Leiter views. It seems to me that the Church through the Holy See, from 2001 to 2005 (when the UN debate concluded in the adoption of the Declaration on Human Cloning) relied on the objective science of human embryology and derivative moral and legal arguments that followed. The Holy See's presentations were not theological but scientific and relied on right reason. The theological positions then followed in other forums.     RJA sj