Stem Cell research

[vatz22au 142]

Just wanted to read some information that alot of you probably can provide for me.

I was wondering, what are Bush's reasons for wanting to veto a bill for Stem Cell research?

I find it pretty absurd that he would want to do such a thing, but then again I am probably only reading half the picture.

(I sure hope to god this has nothing to do with the *cough*bible*cough*)

[channonc 466]

Its not stem cell research that is the issue. Fact is, they now do adult stem cell research. However, the issue is embroynic stem cell research, or doing any research that could create an embryo. Right now there is a new technique where DNA can be extracted from your arm, implanted into an egg, an a "clone" embryo is formed. Stuff like that is the real issue.

[Auburn85 432]

Bush already allows federal funding for stem cell research.

Now people want to expand the research to embryo research. These embryos are put in the wombs of women to have children. Bush just spoke to a group where their children were once embryos.

Bush feels along with many that these embryos represent life.

This type of stem cell research is ok for the private sector, but Bush feels it shouldn't be federally funded.

[Tigermike 3,054]

Bush just spoke to a group where their children were once embryos.

160982[/snapback]

Weren't all children once embryos?

[Tigermike 3,054]

Its not stem cell research that is the issue.  Fact is, they now do adult stem cell research.  However, the issue is embroynic stem cell research, or doing any research that could create an embryo.  Right now there is a new technique where DNA can be extracted from your arm, implanted into an egg, an a "clone" embryo is formed.  Stuff like that is the real issue.

160981[/snapback]

What would you say are the current sentiments in D.C. on this issue? Where do the dems and repubs stand now?

[vatz22au 142]

Ok, that does clear alot of info up for me...thanks guys!

I can see how this is an issue with alot of people....not me, but defining life is an issue with everyone.

[channonc 466]

Its not stem cell research that is the issue.  Fact is, they now do adult stem cell research.  However, the issue is embroynic stem cell research, or doing any research that could create an embryo.  Right now there is a new technique where DNA can be extracted from your arm, implanted into an egg, an a "clone" embryo is formed.  Stuff like that is the real issue.

160981[/snapback]

What would you say are the current sentiments in D.C. on this issue? Where do the dems and repubs stand now?

160999[/snapback]

I think this is clearly not a R vs. D issue as the bill that just passed was introduced by a Republican.

Well, first off, I will just narrow the debate to the bill that was just passed in the House, which is the center of the debate in the news.

Here is the CRS summary of the bill:

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.

As far as my opinion on the bill, I think using something that would be destroyed, instead as research is a good idea.

Here is an article from The Hill talking about the bill:

Stem-cell bill exposes stark divide among GOP conference

By Patrick O'Connor

Republican centrists won the first battle in a three-stage debate over embryonic-stem-cell research yesterday, but overall prospects for the bill remain uncertain.

The House was expected to pass controversial legislation last night that would expand federal funding for embryonic-stem-cell research after three hours of impassioned debate that exposed a deep divide within the Republican Conference.

The bill, introduced by Reps. Mike Castle (R-Del.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), seeks to roll back a ban on federal funding for embryonic-stem-cell lines derived after President Bush announced his funding policy in August 2001. Bush has threatened to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

The vote has stirred public emotions on both sides of the aisle, but those emotions were more starkly divided on the Republican side yesterday.

“The Castle bill is both divisive and, to put it bluntly, dismissive of the dignity of human life at its embryonic stage,” Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) said as he opened debate on a bill written by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) that would expand the country’s reserve of umbilical-cord blood, which was offered as an alternative to the Castle bill. “It has, therefore, incited loud, and in too many cases harsh, advocacy on both sides of the debate.”

Supporters of the Castle legislation framed the debate in human terms, casting the vote in terms of the potential treatments that could be derived from stem-cell research.

“Does this Congress really want to look back 10 years from now and say that we were the ones holding the treatments up?” Castle said. “Or do we want to be the Congress that says, ‘We back science. We want research to flourish, and we played a small role in making that happen’?”

Opponents used the afternoon debate to stage a three-pronged attack on the legislation, questioning the ethics and the effectiveness of the science as well as the fiduciary responsibility of funding controversial science with federal tax money.

“This debate is defined in so many ways by the conscience of each member,” said Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), adding that his whip office was not working the bill.

From here, the bill will go to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who has co-sponsored a companion bill, assured reporters two weeks ago that he would get a vote on the Senate floor, but he would not say whether that vote would be for standalone legislation or for legislation attached to a must-pass bill.

The president has vowed to veto the legislation. As the House debated the issue, he held a press conference yesterday to condemn the bill.

“Today the House of Representatives is considering a bill that violates the clear standard I set four years ago,” Bush said. “This bill would take us across a critical ethical line by creating new incentives for the ongoing destruction of emerging human life. Crossing this line would be a great mistake.”

In anticipation of a presidential veto, one of the bill’s strongest supporters wondered if the administration would negotiate with Senate leadership.

“It will be interesting to see if the White House engages with the Senate to look at a bill they would support,” said Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). “My hope is that the White House opens a discussion with Senate leadership on this.”

The issue has divided the GOP conference since The Washington Post first reported that Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) had allowed a vote on the Castle bill.

During the debate, many supporters of the bill referred to dead or paralyzed relatives who, they say, could have been cured by potential treatments. Rep. James Langevin (D-R.I.), who uses a wheelchair, implored his colleagues to pass legislation that could allow him to walk.

The vote is difficult for centrist Republicans who face a conservative primary opponent.

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas) told members that despite a career supporting pro-life legislation he would back the Castle bill because of its potential to help save lives.

Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), whose office has organized press events and briefings in opposition to the bill, displayed two binders, one with documentation of the 67 known treatments discovered from adult-stem-cell research and another, which was empty, to symbolize the proven treatments derived from embryonic-stem-cell research.

Hastert has told the conference that this will be the last time it deals with this issue. Notably, he will vote to oppose the Castle legislation and in favor of the Smith bill — the Speaker does not generally vote unless the margin is tight.

Overall, members on both sides of the debate agreed that the Republican Conference would move on from this issue.

“I think this was good for our conference,” said Rep. Charlie Bass (R-N.H.), a vocal supporter of the Castle bill. “I wish we did this every week. Why can’t we have real debates on real issues?”

LINK

[Auburn85 432]

Bush just spoke to a group where their children were once embryos.

160982[/snapback]

Weren't all children once embryos?

160997[/snapback]

yeah, didn't clarify