Robert King, OP writes, in regard to "A Pro-Life Rift?" below:

I read this post and the comments, and I think your San Francisco Bay Area readers would be quite interested in a forum that Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology is holding in Berkeley, titled “Stem Cell Research: A Dialogue” featuring presentations by Dr. William Hurlbut, M.D. of Stanford University and Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P. of Providence College.Dr. Hurlbut plans to present alternative approaches (the ANT and OAR approaches) to developing pluripotent stem cells without destroying human embryos, and Fr. Austriaco will explore scientific and philosophical models of the beginning of life. Their presentations will lead into a Q&A session moderated by Dr. John Berkman of the Catholic University of America.

Our hope is to hold a dialogue—not a debate, but a discussion and investigation of the technique—that will explore the possibilities and issues surrounding one approach to stem cell research. Without claiming this approach as a “Catholic” one, we think it is well worth exploring at length and with scholarly rigor. If any readers are in the Bay Area, we’d welcome their participation.

“Stem Cell Research: A Dialogue” will be held on Tuesday, February 7th at 7:00pm in the PSR Chapel at 1798 Scenic Avenue, Berkeley. A reception will follow. For more info, you (and your readers) can contact Fr. Christopher Renz, O.P.