Many people are reluctant to donate because they think their religion forbids it.
In fact, most allow it and many encourage it as an act of charity. But then the pope condemned research on embryonic stem cells, and it will be unfortunate if that discourages research that scientists say holds great promise for curing diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and combatting infertility. To be sure, ethicists must wrestle with guidelines for gathering these cells, most often taken from frozen embryos or aborted fetuses. Vigorous debate about how the information is used will be needed, too. The world's most recognized religious leader raises issues that should be part of the debate.