Adult stem-cells

The Roman Catholic Church in South Korea said yesterday it will donate millions of dollars for research into adult stem cells, supported by critics of embryonic stem cell projects as a more humane alternative.

The Archdiocese of Seoul will provide 10 billion won (US$9.6 million) to a committee that will support adult stem-cell research.

Most of the funds will come from church coffers, with the rest raised through donations, said Bishop Yeom Su-jeong, head of the committee.

"We plan to devote ourselves to saving human dignity above everything else … and raise awareness of respecting lives," Yeom said.