Stem Cell Research
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On May 24, 2005, the House of Representatives passed HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, by a vote of 238 to 194. This legislation would allow federal funds to be used for all aspects of research on embryonic stem cells. I did not support this legislation. On July 18, 2006 the Senate passed H.R. 810 by a vote of 67-37. H.R. 810 then went to the President’s desk, where President Bush vetoed it. Within hours of President Bush’s veto, the House fell 51 votes short in a bid to override the veto. I voted to sustain the President’s veto. I wish to share with you my view on embryonic stem cell research.
Currently, there are two different types of stem cell research: adult and embryonic stem cell research. Although most cells within an animal or human being are committed to fulfilling a single function in an organ like the skin or heart, a unique and important set of cells exists that is not so specialized. These stem cells are cells that retain the ability to become many or all of the different cell types in the body and play a critical role in repairing organs and body tissues throughout life. Although the term "stem cells" refers to these repair cells within an adult organism, a more fundamental variety of stem cells is found in the early stage embryo. These embryonic stem cells may have a greater ability to become different types of body cells than adult stem cells.
Embryonic stem cell research is controversial because it requires the destruction of embryos to retrieve the stem cells, although proponents believe the destruction is justified for scientific and medical research. Proponents argue that these embryonic stem cells offer more potential than adult stem cells.
The debate over embryonic stem cell research concerns the most fundamental ethical issues: when does life begin and when should life, including human embryos, be open to experimentation and scientific research. These fundamental questions should have been asked and answered as part of broad public dialogue. Instead of wide public debate, the original legislation, H.R. 810, was rushed through the House, with only a few hours of consideration, no committee hearings, and no amendments.
It’s society’s ethical obligation to draw boundaries around the possibilities of science. I have concluded that we must draw a boundary that says no to embryonic stem cell research that requires the killing of embryos that if left to grow would become children. I believe that embryos, as life, should be treated with as much respect as you and I, and I reject the view that embryos are mere medical waste, as some have suggested.
During floor debate of HR 810, I argued that the legislation is unethical and unnecessary. The legislation is based on the unethical principle that it is ok to kill a healthy embryo. It left the “ethical” guidelines up to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, including how long an embryo could live before it is killed for its stem cells. It also does not include a ban on cloning. I have introduced legislation with Congressman Dave Weldon, Senators Brownback and Landrieu to ban all human cloning. I do not believe we should allow the creation of life for the purpose of destroying it in order to harvest the stem cells.
In addition, H.R. 810 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 (California and New Jersey) and is funded through millions of dollars 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 this research. The National Institute of Health (NIH) spent an estimated $38 million on Embryonic Stem Cell research in Fiscal Year 2006. These lines are sufficient for basic research according to the NIH director. 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. But we cannot let science leap-frog our ethics, our morals, and our legal system. Again, I appreciate your effort to engage in this important debate that our country must still undertake.
