Dr Edward Peters: Excommunication for deliberate embryo destruction?

Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo, the outspoken president of the Pontifical Council on the Family, has asserted that "destroying human embryos is equivalent to abortion"; therefore, he says, those directly involved in such deeds are liable to the canonical penalty established for abortion, namely, excommunication (1983 CIC 1398). That the cardinal stands on solid biological and moral grounds in equating deliberate embryo destruction with procured abortion is beyond serious question. What I want to ask is whether he stands on solid canonical grounds as well.

An excellent explanation continues at Dr. Peters' blog here.

What I would hope to see discussed in the near future, from a canonical perspective, is whether those who aid and abet others in these evil and murderous acts could be viewed as accomplices. Such might be those rent or sell office space for such activity, or those who promote, legislate, or approve such immoral acts. It seems that more is needed to clear up any confusion some might have on this issue. This will be another "hot button" issue for the people of Missouri and elsewhere soon.