Senator Frist, Stem Cell Advocate
Perhaps sensing thatAs you may have seen on this morning’s news, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has announced his support for H.R. 810, a bill that would expand the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research. Senator Frist now joins the nation’s top scientists and researchers, 80 Nobel Laureates, a majority of the American public, more than 200 top patient advocacy and medical research organizations, and a majority of the United States House of Representatives in supporting legislation to further this research that holds great promise for curing or treating a variety of diseases that currently afflict more than 100 Americans.In a speech on the Senate floor today, Senator Frist declared his support for embryonic stem cell research by stating:
“While human embryonic stem cell research is still at a very early stage, the limitations put in place in 2001 will, over time, slow our ability to bring potential new treatments for certain diseases. Therefore, I believe the president’s policy should be modified… Cure today may be just a theory, a hope, a dream, but the promise is powerful enough that I believe this research deserves our increased energy and focus. Embryonic stem cell research must be supported. Its time for a modified policy – the right policy for this moment in time.”
H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, was passed by the House in May, and now has more than 40 cosponsors in the Senate. Its champions in the Senate, led by Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA), had been pushing to bring H.R. 810 to the floor, but were not able to reach an agreement on the vote before the August recess that begins this weekend.
The Senate will be out of session through Labor Day, which means that your Senators will be back in their home state attending public events and holding town hall meetings. Please use this opportunity to explain why embryonic stem cell research is important to you, and personally ask your Senators to support H.R. 810 when the Senate returns in September.
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Frist at least has good political instincts. evidencing his lack of moral convictions (cf. Machiavelli, The Prince). His abandoned position had as much, or as little, basis in his moral beliefs as does his new position.
It's pure bunk that federal funding is necessary for this research to progress. While I favor vigorous pursuit of ESCR, I can't see what's morally praiseworthy in compelling support from people who don't share my view of the matter. And that's the substance (cash value, to pragmatists) of Frist's conversion.
Political theatre is no substitute for serious discussion of moral issues.
- by Bob Koepp on Jul 30, 2005 at 4:41 PM | link
RE: Stem Cell Research
This sounds really interesting. I will have more to say on this later.
- by M on Sep 14, 2006 at 12:31 AM | link
As of late it seems that there is a lot of talk that Adult Stem Cells are just as valuable in many respects as Embryonic Stem Cells. But, it seems like a lot of the "frontier" type research is being done on behalf of the embryonic stem cells. Why can't more focus be put on adult stem cells and then we don't have to have the political/moral hangups and we can just get going?
Anyway, whichever side of the fence you stand on I think that's a good idea.
- by Stem Cell Research on Dec 15, 2006 at 5:34 PM | link