NEWS: Legislators to Bush: Back Stem Cell Research, Legislators

[Murray Charters <Murray_Charters@xxxxxxxxx>]

Legislators to Bush: Back Stem Cell Research, Legislators
Saturday, July 28, 2001
BY FREDERIC J. FROMMER
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON  --  More than 200 members of Congress,
including 40 Republicans, have sent a letter to President Bush
urging him to support federal funding
of embryonic stem cell research.

"You have the lives of millions of our  --  and your  --
constituents in your hands," the 202 lawmakers wrote.

Circulated by Reps. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., and Diana DeGette,
D-Colo., the letter cites reports that a private lab has created
human embryos for stem cell research as evidence that federal
oversight is needed.

"The only way to ensure that embryonic stem cell research
is conducted with strict ethical and legal guidelines is to provide
federal funding and oversight," the letter states.

The lawmakers also note the research's potential to find cures
for diseases.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the president was
still weighing "all of the scientific and ethical issues involved."

Last week, 59 senators sent Bush a letter supporting the research.

More than a dozen Republican senators are on record urging
Bush to support the research, including Bill Frist of Tennessee,
the Senate's only physician, who opposes abortion.

Other abortion opponents are against the research because
the embryos would have to be destroyed to conduct the research.

Some scientists say stem cell research could benefit more than
100 million patients with such disorders as Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease, diabetes and spinal cord injuries.

Most of the Republicans who signed the letter, including
Ramstad, support abortion rights.

"With my own mother totally debilitated by Alzheimer's disease,
a first cousin who died from diabetes and several close friends
suffering from Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries,
I plead with you to give hope to my loved ones and 100 million
other Americans suffering from cruel, deadly diseases,"
Ramstad said.

The anti-abortion lawmakers who signed the letter include
Phil English, R-Pa., Randy Cunningham, R-Calif.,
and John Duncan, R-Tenn.

SOURCE: The Salt Lake Tribune


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