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AFA ActivismAction Alert - June 28, 2001Bush Could Cave On Stem Cell ResearchUrge President Bush to stand for the sanctity of human life on the issue of stem cell research
The American Family Association (AFA) today joins Focus on the Family in an urgent call to contact President Bush. It appeared last week that President Bush was leaning towards renewing the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research but now speculation abounds that he may cave into political pressure and allow federal dollars to fund medical research using stem cells from human embryos. What caused the change? Big stars, prestigious sounding reports, and lobbying by some top GOP senators. Focus on the Family bioethics analyst Carrie Gordon Earll said the media has bombarded the country this week with propaganda that favors your tax dollars to conduct research using stem cells harvested from human embryos. For example, actress Mary Tyler Moore told Congress Tuesday that it should support embryonic stem cell research, which she called "truly life affirming,''in light of its promise for finding a cure for diabetes. "It is the true pinnacle of charity to give life to another,''she told the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. "Federal support for stem cell research is an extension of this affirmation of life and is the best way to ensure it is undertaken with the highest of ethical standards.'' In addition: -- Some key GOP senators -- Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., and former Sen. Connie Mack, R-Fla. -- went on record in support of federal funding. -- A new report from the National Institutes of Health says research on stem cells derived from both human embryos and adult tissue promises "a dazzling array" of treatments for various diseases. Earll said if President Bush is currently in a quandary -- as the media would have us believe -- over how to decide this issue, he nevertheless appeared to understand the full truth when he stated earlier this year that he opposes federal funding for research using stem cells from human embryos. She said it is time for us to remind the president that this week's propaganda ignores or distorts several facts: 1. Collecting embryonic stem cells comes at a great price: a living, human embryo must be destroyed. Thus, using federal money to kill embryonic boys and girls is immoral. 2. It's unnecessary. There are other promising sources of stem cells, ones that do not require the death of a human being. For example, more and more studies are being released that hail the promise of adult stem cells in treating diseases. 3. Using federal funds to conduct the research is illegal. Congress passed a law to that effect during the Clinton administration. Though the Clinton Administration proposed a loophole to get around the law -- and it is the question of what to do with the Clinton loophole that perplexes Bush presently -- the law is still the law. 4. Privately funded scientists already conduct this research. The issue isn't whether or not the research will take place; rather, the question is whether the researchers can come to the federal trough for funding. Earll said President Bush needs your encouragement NOW to make the right decision. Source: Citizenlink Related Article: The Stem-Cell Senators ACTION NEEDEDPresident Bush will likely announce a decision within the next couple of weeks on whether to allow taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research. Please contact him and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson IMMEDIATELY and tell them not to use your tax dollars to fund embryonic stem cell research. Even if you have contacted them before on this issue, please do so again. The president is under intense pressure from supporters of stem cell research, and your calls are sorely needed.President George W. Bush Comment line: 202-456-1111 Secretary Tommy Thompson Fax: 202-690-7203
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