"The Catholic Church teaches that each and every human being, at every moment of biological development from conception to natural death, has an inherent and fundamental right to life," the letter states. "Funding embryonic stem cell research diverts funds away from other avenues that are not only morally sound but also more immediately promising for helping patients and saving lives. All the safe and beneficial treatments emerging from stem cell research, now and in the foreseeable future, are coming from adult and cord blood stem cells. Hence it is not a matter of choosing between respect for embryonic human life and respect for born patients -- it is a matter of respecting BOTH by promoting cures and treatments that we can all live with."

The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of Texas.  The Conference participates in public policy on behalf of the Bishops of Texas regarding institutional concerns of the Catholic Church as well as issues related to Catholic moral and social teachings. The Conference's legislative agenda covers five public policy areas: Life Issues, Immigration, Education, Health & Human Services, and Criminal Justice Reform.