Stem Cell Research
The U.S. Senate gets down to real business this week after wasting precious time this session on extremist legislation designed only to fire up their base prior to his fall's election. Debate on a bill, H.R. 810, authorizing federal support for embryonic stem cell research has bi-partisan support but faces a threatened veto by President Bush. This would be the first veto of Bush's Administration (not including his hundreds of signing statements).
The promise of stem cell research is very real but has been strangled by the strict restrictions put upon it by George W. Bush. Embryos created by couple using in-vitro fertilization lie waiting in laboratories and storage. Most of these will be destroyed if not used for this research. Millions of people could receive benefits from this research.
Two false bills have also been introduced to make it appear to voters that their supporters, primarily Sen. Sam Brownback, a member of the Catholic cult Opus Dei, support cutting edge medical technology when they do not. These are the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act (love that terminology!) and the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act. Both of these bills seek to end embryonic stem cell research.
You will hear propaganda about the effectiveness of adult stem cell research. Not everything said will have the weight of science behind the "facts." You will hear it said that adult stem cells are already credited with aiding in 65 different diseases. Scientific examination though only allows 9 of these to withstand peer evaluation however. The Family Research Council data used by these "experts" is sham science.
Meanwhile embryonic stem cells have already been shown to develop into t-cells which are critical to the treatment of auto-immune diseases. Johns Hopkins scientists transplanted mouse stem cells into paralyzed rats and the rats were once again able to walk.
Denying such cutting edge medical research is cruel and inhumane punishment to the millions of living people it can benefit. The basic questions here are where does life begin and what is more important, the living who suffer or a few stem cells frozen in a petrie dish? Opponents of embryonic stem cell research believe life begins at conception, even if that is in a test tube. They believe that using these cells for research destroys human life. I've even heard some extremists equate stem cell research with slavery.
The vast majority of Americans believe in embryonic stem cell research. They know people or have relatives and friends who have diabetes, AIDS, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, cancer and many more serious medical problems which this research could treat. They are primarily concerned with the living and making real people's lives better, even whole. This is a crucial issue to many voters and it's important to know where your candidates stand on the issue. Do not be afraid to ask.
Update: The bill passed 63-37 which isn't enough to override Bush's promised veto. Rick Santorum voted against the bill. Contact him and let him understand how important this bill is and that you won't vote vote for him if he continues to oppose stem cell research:
202-224-6324
The promise of stem cell research is very real but has been strangled by the strict restrictions put upon it by George W. Bush. Embryos created by couple using in-vitro fertilization lie waiting in laboratories and storage. Most of these will be destroyed if not used for this research. Millions of people could receive benefits from this research.
Two false bills have also been introduced to make it appear to voters that their supporters, primarily Sen. Sam Brownback, a member of the Catholic cult Opus Dei, support cutting edge medical technology when they do not. These are the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act (love that terminology!) and the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act. Both of these bills seek to end embryonic stem cell research.
You will hear propaganda about the effectiveness of adult stem cell research. Not everything said will have the weight of science behind the "facts." You will hear it said that adult stem cells are already credited with aiding in 65 different diseases. Scientific examination though only allows 9 of these to withstand peer evaluation however. The Family Research Council data used by these "experts" is sham science.
Meanwhile embryonic stem cells have already been shown to develop into t-cells which are critical to the treatment of auto-immune diseases. Johns Hopkins scientists transplanted mouse stem cells into paralyzed rats and the rats were once again able to walk.
Denying such cutting edge medical research is cruel and inhumane punishment to the millions of living people it can benefit. The basic questions here are where does life begin and what is more important, the living who suffer or a few stem cells frozen in a petrie dish? Opponents of embryonic stem cell research believe life begins at conception, even if that is in a test tube. They believe that using these cells for research destroys human life. I've even heard some extremists equate stem cell research with slavery.
The vast majority of Americans believe in embryonic stem cell research. They know people or have relatives and friends who have diabetes, AIDS, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, cancer and many more serious medical problems which this research could treat. They are primarily concerned with the living and making real people's lives better, even whole. This is a crucial issue to many voters and it's important to know where your candidates stand on the issue. Do not be afraid to ask.
Update: The bill passed 63-37 which isn't enough to override Bush's promised veto. Rick Santorum voted against the bill. Contact him and let him understand how important this bill is and that you won't vote vote for him if he continues to oppose stem cell research:
202-224-6324
posted by PA progressive @ Monday, July 17, 2006
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