STEM CELL RESEARCH
On January 11, 2007, the House of Representatives passed HR 3,
the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, by a vote of 253-174. This
legislation would allow federal funds to be used for all aspects of
research on embryonic stem cells. I did not support this
legislation. I wish to share with you my view on embryonic stem cell
research.
Let me be clear, I support stem cell research using adult, cord
bloods, and amniotic stem cells. I do not, however, support
destroying life in the name of research. I believe that embryos, as
human life, should be treated and valued with the same respect as
you and me.
H.R. 3 fails to address the most basic, essential, ethical question
of when does life begin? And when should life, including human
embryos, be open to experimentation and scientific research? As an
elected Representative of the people, I have been cloaked with
America’s legislative responsibility. With this responsibility, I am
entrusted to determine the ethical and moral boundaries of
scientific research and to determine what value America places on
human life.
I believe Congress’s work must reflect America’s belief that all
life has value from the human embryo to those in the twilight of
their life. Congress must not legislate “short cuts” for one life
over another, which this legislation does. Where do we, as a nation,
draw the ethical and moral line on scientific research as to when
life begins? At which stage of human life are we willing to
sacrifice one life to promote the life of another?
The good intentions of the proponents of H.R. 3 do not answer
these questions. The proponents do not allow Congress, as America’s
elected Representatives, to draw the ethical and moral line for
human life. Under H.R. 3, when do embryos become human life? After
40 hours? After 2 days? H.R. 3 is silent on when embryos become
human life - it doesn’t specify how long these embryos are allowed
to grow before they are killed - 2 days, 5 days, 14 days, or more!
In addition H.R. 3 is not necessary. Human embryonic stem cell
research is completely legal today in the private sector. Embryonic
stem cell research is eligible for state funding in several states,
including California and New Jersey, and is funded through millions
in private dollars. Since August 2001, 128 stem cell lines have been
created. Also, the president’s current policy allows for limited
federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. The National
Institute of Health (NIH) spent an estimated $38 million on
embryonic stem cell research in Fiscal Year 2006. Despite this
investment, embryonic stem cell research remains unproven. Not a
single therapy has been developed from embryonic stem cell research.
Instead of cures, embryonic stem cell research has led to tumors and
deaths in animal studies. There have been no published treatments in
human patients using embryonic stem cells.
While the promise of embryonic stem cells is questionable, the
promise of adult stem cell research is being realized today – adult
stem cells are being used today to save lives. Recognizing this, the
National Institute of Health will spend $568 million in Fiscal Year
2006 on adult stem cell research. Adult stem cells are being used
today in clinical trials and in clinical practice to treat 72
diseases including, Parkinson’s disease, Spinal Cord injury,
Juvenile Diabetes, brain cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, heart
damage, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, stroke, and sickle
cell anemia.
I am committed to funding scientific research that will unlock
the origins of diseases and develop cures. We cannot let science
leap-frog our ethics, our morals, and our responsibility to protect
human life at every stage of development.
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