Catholics offer stem cell grants

HOPING to contribute to the end of the use of embryos in research, the Catholic Church is offering a $100,000 grant for research into the medical use of adult stem cells.

The Sydney Archdiocese announced the grant on Wednesday, saying it is still vehemently opposed to embryonic stem cell research but approves of the use of adult stem cells.

Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell says adult stem cells can already be used in the treatment of heart and liver disease.

"The Catholic Church promotes and encourages medical research and we strongly support stem cell research and other forms of biotechnology that respect the dignity of every human life," Cardinal Pell said in a statement.

"Advances in adult stem cell research have been extremely impressive."

The Catholic Church says the grant will be awarded by an independent assessment panel.

This is the fourth adult stem cell grant the Church has awarded since 2002, with $300,000 already given.