Vatican cancels stem cell forum

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The Vatican says it has canceled a stem cell research conference because few had registered to attend.

Church teaching opposes research involving human embryos. But some invited speakers reportedly are involved in research on embryonic stem cells.

The Pontifical Academy for Life organized the "Responsible Stem Cells Research Congress" for April. But its website said that because of the "scarce" number of registrations, the event was canceled.

A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini, quoted from an Academy memo blaming "organizational, logistical and economic factors."

Academy officials couldn't immediately be reached about media reports that the speaker lineup irked scientists opposing embryonic research while others declined invitations for fear of lack of open discussion.