(CNN) -- Is George W. Bush right to veto the easing of federal funding restrictions on stem cell research?
Stem cells may hold the key to curing diseases like Parkinson's -- but to make them, days-old embryos must be destroyed. In May this year, the U.S. Senate passed a bill easing federal funding restrictions on stem cell research, but President Bush has again vetoed the bill, citing moral grounds.
We ask you: is the cost of stem cell research outweighed by the possibilities that it holds?
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are the building blocks of the human body. They can split and grow into any sort of cell: liver, heart, skin, nerve cells and more.
Stem cells can be harvested from adults and from umbilical cord blood, but at the moment, the most effective stem cells for research are found in days-old embryos.
What do people want to do with them?
Supporters of stem cell research hope that the cells will yield treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes, as well as spinal-cord injuries.
What's the debate?
In the USA, President George W. Bush used the first veto of his presidency to kill a 2006 effort to loosen his policy on stem-cell research, which bars the use of federal funding for work that would destroy human embryos.
In April this year, the Senate approved a measure that would roll back President Bush's 2001 limits on embryonic stem-cell research, but the margin was short of the two-thirds needed to override another promised veto.
In a statement issued after the Senate vote, he said he would veto the new bill as well, saying it "crosses a moral line that I and many others find troubling." As promised, he vetoed the bill in June.
What's happening elsewhere?
The British government made a dramatic U-turn in May this year, when it withdrew a proposed ban on research into hybrid embryos -- stem cells made by, for example, injecting human DNA into empty animal cells. Similar research, creating human embryos from animal eggs, is currently underway in China and the United States, the Associated Press reported.
Why do people support stem cell research?
People with chronic and genetic diseases say that stem cell research could be their only hope of finding a cure. Scientists in countries like the USA and Britain say that banning stem cell research would not stop it from taking place elsewhere, and that it should be properly monitored and regulated.
Why do people oppose it?
Many pro-life campaigners equate the procedure to abortion because days-old human embryos are destroyed when the cells are extracted. Some critics also say that stem cell research is an unwanted step towards human cloning.
Are there any other options?
Stem cells harvested from adults and umbilical cord blood are alternatives, as are stem cells created from hybrid cells. At the moment, embryonic stem cells are preferred because they have the greatest ability to divide.
However, scientists led by Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University announced in June this year that they had managed to coax a mouse skin cell to reverse its development and return to an embryonic stage where it produced stem cells, Time reported.
What do you think?
Now it's your turn. Is President Bush right to restrict the funding for stem cell research, or should scientists be able to explore the opportunities it offers? Where, if anywhere, should the line be drawn? Share your views, and we'll print the best comments here.
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From: Dave McIntosh, Calgary, AB, Canada Date: September 4, 2007 Your view: I believe stem cell research should be allowed, people should be granted a chance for recovery. People think to narrow mindly about it, imagine it was yourself in the situation of the individuals who suffer from the diseases and conditions that could be repaired with some research.
From: Cindy Davis, Mississippi, USA Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: Stem Cell research should absolutely be allowed, and Federally funded. I understand that Bush has a 'moral', at least in his mind, obligation to protect unborn embryos, but by denying money to stem cell research he is denying his 'moral' obligations to the many Americans that are in pain and that are suffering because of deblitating diseases that may be cured by Stem Cell Research. True, the diseases may not be cured in Bush's lifetime, or even in the Americans afflicted lifetimes, but steps can be made now to ensure that a cure is eventually found. Bush needs to look at the country, and world, as a whole instead of focusing on the embryos that will most likely never be used again. Why should morals be applied to something that is techniqually not alive?
From: Uriel Epstein, NJ, USA Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: I believe that Bush is absolutely wrong in his decision to veto the stem cell research bill. Stem cell research could have an enormous array of positive results. Paraplegics could walk again, blind people could see again, and it could save the lives of many, many others. At only a few days, the fetus is really just a bunch of cells. It can not think, it can not feel, whereas the thousands of paralyzed people, or people who are near death because of other conditions can. These fetuses would not just be destroyed; they would be used to save the lives of thousands of living, breathing, and feeling humans.
From: julia lucas, Mississauga, Canada Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: I have a 17 year old son who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 13. I was devastated by this, but I could not let him see my pain. He was courageous then, and almost 4 years later, he still is. He was so pleased with his needles, and couldn't wait to tell me how this was going to be his new life. I was struck with profound grief, but inside, I knew I would do everything I could to help my son live as normal a life as possible. Our world is growing increasingly complicated and fearful and therefore, hope must never be taken away from those who need it most. If stem cells will move humanity towards greater compassion, then I believe this is the right direction to take.
From: Jack Carter, Hong Kong Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: I am undecided on this issue but am concerned about comments by some who attack Bush for whatever decision he makes. The media has failed miserably to not report in the same sound byte's that Bush also issued an Executive Order to fund research in turning adult stem cells into ones that have 'embryotic' qualities. Surely that makes alot of sense and removes the 'moral' issues. Are the Bush nay sayer's that unconfident in our scientists to achieve this goal?
From: Manjit Manhas, Surrey, BC, Canada Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: This is the price of human evolution which we must and will pay. We can not go back to the dark past, for that we will need to de-evolve. Since that is not a possibility, we as modern society must move forward very carefully with a balanced approach one that respects life and the other that allows human awareness to expand to meet new challenges. I see so much beauty ahead of us.
From: Alexandra Waugh, New Brunswick, Canada Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: Stem Cell research is the future. The amount of money the U.S. has could make an amazing contribution to curing many diseases. Bush, as usual is taking a step backwards. They are funding a war that KILLS many innocent people everyday. How is it morrally different to use a dish of cells (from fertility facilities that would be discarded regardless) to SAVE people's lives worldwide?
From: Skip Barnes, Dallas, USA Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: I am an American, and I am ashamed that we have a president that refuses to listen to science, but claims to talk to Jesus.
From: Mike Stewart, Farmersville, USA Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: George Bush is SO far out of touch with the people of the US, the world and the scientific world it is absolutely ridiculous! He is NOT the Pope and if idiots like him would understand the importance of research like this, my father might still be alive. But GW wouldn't know about that beause he is rich and his parents are still alive and in good health! Makes me wonder what would happen if it was his mom or dad that were suffering from some disease that the outcome might benefit from this research if he might have a different view. In my opinion, if he says he wouldn't, he is a liar!!! I AM a taxpayer of this great country and I volunteer my tax money to be spent on stem cell research rather than some idiotic guest worker program that bankrupts the economy and negates the reason I have paid taxes for the last 50 years. Wake up Bush or pay the consequences!
From: Steve, Philippines Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: What should we expect from someone who has delivered up total chaos in Iraq, $70/barrel oil, seriously increased the importance of Iran, squandered favorable solid world opinion following 9/11, trashed the deficit and hijacked the constitution? We wouldn't want him to do anything useful, now, would we?
From: Brad Scott, Prescott Valley, USA Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: Sadly, President Bush has once again seen fit to ignore the opinion of the majority of U.S. citizens in favor of his own. He was elected, and now we must suffer his disregard for our views until January of 2009. Hopefully, this issue will be reconsidered again, when our next ELECTED leader responds to the people who put him/her there in the first place. The current President seems not to care about the average American.
From: Magnus Ahlberg, Stockholm, Sweden Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: To restrict funding will not stop progres, maybe just for the moment. But in the future, when another leader steps in, new rules will apply and the research will go forward. There is no way to stop progres and future research, history has tought us that. Also, religion should not prevent research, if done in a humane and safe way.
From: Dan Slone, KS Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: As an american scientist who has worked all over the world it is very sad we have such an arrogant president who does not convey or accept the will of the American people.
The US is falling behind in this critical research that will create therapies to many unmet medical needs.
President Bush has even created a difficult envirnment for Americans abroad due to his arrogance that brings negative feeling to our country and its citizens.
He is the worst president this counrty has ever had. The next president has alot of fence mending ahead, but not until he brings our troops home
From: john lewis, escondido, CA Date: June 21, 2007 Your view: The veto is hypocritical. How does W. rate the"sanctity of human life" of unborn embryos with the lives of 3500 dead American soldiers, and 600,000 dead Iraqis in his accursed "war" ?
From: GEOFFREY ORME, HAWAII, USA Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: No one should be surprised that, once again, President Bush lets his primitive personal beliefs decide policy, rather than the wishes of the majority of the people of the United States of America.
What an unmitigated disaster this President has been! His actions will impact our country and the entire world, for decades to come.
From: Toma~ Vargazon, Ljubljana, Slovenia Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: Allowing embrios to be used for purposes of embriotic stem cell research is a slippery slope. First we allow creation of human embrios in order to cure certain diseases, what if we'll need human fetuses next? What about toddlers?
Experimentation on humans is and should be prohibited whereever it can be replaced by some other means. We should not abandon our most sacred principles whenever we find them to limit us in our goals. A human embrio is geneticaly a unique human.
I find this matter to be attracting a lot more attention than it should. Firstly, mr.Bush did not prohibit embriotic stem cell research, but mearly federal funding of such research. State and private funding is permitted. Secondly, he did increase funding for alternatives to embriotic stem cells.
He did what any responsible leader should.
From: Heather D, Calgary, AB, Canada Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: In this day and age, the fact that the leader of any country would prohibit research that could save so many lives disturbs me. Stem cell research holds so much promise and hope in the medical industry!
While I do acknowledge the President's view on taking a human life to save a human life, and absolutely respect that, the fact is that abortion, unwanted and unplanned pregnancies are not going to go away. I personally believe there is always a better choice then abortion, but I also respect the fact that it is a woman's choice - and if she makes the choice to abort her child, I'd rather see that embryo go to positive use then get thrown in the trash.
I wish the President would listen to the hundreds of medical organizations pleading to allow the chance to improve, if not potentially cure, so many medical problems through this research. It inevitably affects the rest of the world Mr. Bush. Keep your personal opinions out of politics and serve your country! Lead by example.
From: Kelly Baron, Vancouver, Canada Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: If it has been said once, it will be said again, the President of the United States is a hypocrite, who refuses to endorse stricter gun controls in his own country and openly adovates for the development and production of technologically advanced weapons used to enforece "peace",leading to the the death of thousands of innocents at home and abroad, while, at the same time, vetoing the funding of stem cell research, based on his own religious principles and beliefs.
From: mouhammed jammoul, ezza, Lebanon Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: hey everybody...soory for my bad english but am interested to share you with my point of veiw..i think presedent george.w.bush had taken the wrong dicision...why funding of killing people in afghanistan,lebanon,palistine,iraq and other countreis is a good step towards democracy?and why funding of scientific reaserches that could save many human lives along many generations comming is illeagal? its true that many innocent lives may lost the chance to survive and would be killed from days-old-age but the most imortant that the progress in stem cell researshes will be a step in the righ direction towards a more hopefull future for many suffering familleis around the world..thnk u for giving us the chance and i hope i will not be excluded becouse am not american or for political reasons..thanks again..
From: Roger Babb, Ringgold, GA Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: President Bush was placed in office by a dishonest election and has governed for the benefit of a few wealthy business and religous leaders. Scandals and an ill-planned war are been the legacy of the GOP. Family values? Pooh, just so much BS as the GOP rips off our pocketbooks. I just hope that American voters will wake up in 2008 and throw out the GOP crooks.
From: Mark Ferrantin, Los Angeles/CA Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: There is no hope for a country that re-elects and keeps a president like this, swamped in corruption and crimes against humanity. Just to benefit his group financially, George Bush has taken the most damaging decisions to the entire country. Our troops are dying in the middle of a senseless war, our people hit by natural disasters are being left to face devastation of their lives without no federal support and now he murders any hope of finding a cure for terrible diseases. Unfortunately, we can't count on politicians in general, Democrats are awarded the majority in the Senate and House and they just choose to yield to this devilish worst ever president of the US.
From: David Martin, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: Regarding stem cell research, I think the United States is very wrong in it's approach. The US is obviously a great place for opportunity, it's a fantastic place in some respects, but it's ideology seems to be governed presently by religion and to some respect, corruption by that of personal opinion. (People in power). It seems to me that unlike here in Britain, the word of the people seems to count for less to a much greater extent. The political orientation and importance of one man influences all. That is sad.
Stem cell research holds the promise for saving countless lives, and by hindering it's progress, we are harming humanity, not just a minority.
People often forget that advances in technology, (sometimes in unrelated fields of Science), have a snowball effect, and can mutually benefit other Sciences, hence improve our every day lives as human beings.
It often makes me wonder how many of these people that disagree with stem cell research on ethical or religious grounds are actually seriously ill, I could bet with 99% certainty that the majority of them aren't.
They should be ashamed that they play a part in halting the cure of many terrible diseases.
From: Sue Smith, Cedar City/Utah Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: The embryos used in this research are destined to eventually be destroyed, so it makes no sense that scientists are denied the ability to perform what promises to be life-saving research. I'm fed up with the people, including Bush, who have a self-righteous view that scientists want to destroy "little babies." These aren't babies and they never will be babies!
From: Kevan Currie, NB, Canada Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: There is an age old saying that history repeats itself. Over 1000 years ago the church decreed what was right and what was wrong. Some historians believe that due to the "Dark Age" our scientific community was put on hold, and we regressed to a point before the Roman Empire, where they had baths and clean water etc.... I believe in God and I am a Christian, If God did not want our scientist to find a use for these cells then he would not have placed the ability for us to learn how to use them. I guess we should not be upset, no one remembers history, and that is why we will always repeat it. Because of the Veto, Scientist will once again be told what they can peruse and what they can not.
From: Theresa Jarrett, Charleston WV Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: Well to tell you the truth, if GW BUSH had or one of his Girls or Wife or Mother or Father, or someone in his family, just happened to become ill from a disease that he knew was not at all going to be cured from a form of drug here and know, I bet his self would be wishing he had passed the BILL not vetoed it
From: Sundar Varadan, Morgantown/WV Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: If extracting stem cells from days old embryos destroys the fetus, can this be allowed on those fetus that are being voluntarily aborted now ? Then the fate of this research will be tied to the fate of abortion in this country giving temporary reprieve to either side. And even in the event that abortion is banned in this country, they can always go for embryo's from other countries where abortion is not banned. Afterall, this is the administration that believes that human rights when violated on foreign lands can be justified when it serves its purpose ( I am talking about rendition). They also believe that killing a large number of innocent people to catch ahold of one ultimate terrorist is justifiable for the "greater good".
From: Bill Graham, Kitchener ON Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: I am a Canadian, and perhaps, as such, have no business commenting on American matters, but all that happens in the US does directly have an effect on us.
President Bush is letting his personal religious views into the political scene, rather than letting democracy work - that is the wishes of the majority of the citizens of his country. Religion and politics must be kept isolated.
Of course he cannot be re-elected so it does not matter to him. However there is his party. They must think they have some hope in the upcoming election. It's time for them to speak to him, and it is time for the elected representatives of his party to act in accordance with the wishes of the people they represent - democracy in action.
From: Richard Ward, France Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: As an American living in France I cringe on a daily basis reading the news from the U.S. The present administration will veto a bill that has the potential to unlock secrets that could help countless people and refuses to do anything to combat global warming but will commit hundreds of billions of dollars to an unjust and unnecessary war that has done nothing but bring death and destruction to foreign shores and devastate thousands of families of servicemen and women at home.
This President has shown his true colors yet again. It is a disgrace.
From: Misha Havtikess Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: This was just leaked from a speech the President is planning to give: God himself told me that I look good in blue, Texas was the true birthplace of our Savior and stem cell research was wrong because it could stem the cells from becoming the magnimious things that are meant for. And I believe in that with all my heart. So if you have a bad illness that's bad and it's too bad and I support that and will fight to the end to preserve your right to it as well as the right for all. Thank you.
From: Jorn Poulsen, NS, Canada Date: June 20, 2007 Your view: Hi CNN. As usual, I'm impressed at your objective approach to journalism, touching on relevant topics. I hope you will keep it up, and (especially) keep asking interesting questions, even if some of them are "controversial".
I must say I'm worried about the religious injection into the daily lives of quite a few US citizens.
To me personally, there is a (somewhat) abandonment of reason, in favor of certain opinions -- opinions whose implications (some of those same) people simply do not grasp themselves.
Instead of typing in my message here, in this pure-text field, I have put it here: http://www.twinkle.ws/docs/questions.html
(No, I do not live in Western Somoa (as .ws may suggest), I merely own the twinkle.ws domain, and host it out of my basement here in Nova Scotia, Canada.) 🙂
I urge you to bring these topics up, right along with other discussions of religious nature.
For example, when discussing whether Christianity should be taught in public schools, or when asking politicians what their religious beliefs are.
From: Idren Ames, Arvada, Colorado Date: June 19, 2007 Your view: So if destroying embryos after scientific research for a greater good is morally wrong, then should we also as a humanity cease to kill animals for our own consumption?
From: Cary Gollop, Otaki, New Zealand Date: June 18, 2007 Your view: This is the same President Bush who more-or-less single-handedly launched an action in Iraq that has been responsible for the loss of many lives. A few of these (maybe 2000?) are American lives of young men and women, but the vast majority are Arabs. I will quote from a note I sent a few minutes ago to my daughter in Texas. It refers to a CNN report of an action taking place at this very minute:
"A five sided fight, Sunni, Shiite, al Queda, Iraqi, American, all lined up in the first paragraph. but all Arabs and Americans. A bit murky I think. I hope they are all wearing uniforms -- maybe the Americans have developed a new 'scope that makes all hats look either black or white?"
My first point is that 'life' is life, whether American citizens, non-Americans, even animals. My second point is that President Bush would almost certainly be in favour of funding the kind of discriminatory 'scope I mention. My third point is that . . . but that is enough from me. For me 'life' means all life. I do not believe we can avoid taking some life in order to live. The action in Iraq is pure waste. ESCR may not be.
I don't trust President Bush because he is governing from doubtful personal beliefs. I don't trust scientists for the same reason.
From: Chris M, Texas Date: June 18, 2007 Your view: If you were an embryo and you had the choice of either staying in a freezer your entire life, just taking up space and money or being used in stem cell research to help save thousands of lives what would you choose?
From: Greg Zern, West Chester, USA Date: June 18, 2007 Your view: If you believe that life begins at conception (as I do) then the decision regarding embryonic stem cell research is clear. Destroying a fertilized egg is taking a life. As a society, we dare not take an innocent life with the hope that another will be helped. Consider the possible ramifications of such a position! The fact that there is promise in adult stem cell or umbilical cord stem cell research is tangential to the real issue of preserving life.
From: Erika Chacon, Tachira, Venezuela Date: June 16, 2007 Your view: Hi! About the research of sterm cells I have to agree with President Bush... Even when it can be regulated, it's a very agressive procedure! We have to think, how many embryos have to be killed to find cures? Yes, they're going to be killed! Maybe they will not have a right to speech just having a few days of being conceibed, but those embryos are life growing!... Yes, it's true, we can find cure to many diseases and hard conditions in human beings, but isn't ironic that we are killing to ensure long lives? Some people may think that we are killing just cells that are not even people yet, and it is prefered to sacrificate them to give better life conditions to those who are already walking on our world... But the truth is, that those cells we are taking belongs to a human being who has a TOTAL right to grow up, live and smile! And we're not giving the chance to defense him/herself... I know it's hard to live in difficult conditions by some diseases, and some of them! are very cruel with our body... But, that should be cured in other ways... And if it's not possible right now, we have to ensure that those peoples who have it can be treated and that we (by ourselves!!!) can help them through all of this!!!
Thanks for this space to speak about a concern this big!!!
Take care y'all!!!
From: Stacey Nagel Date: June 16, 2007 Your view: As the mother of Jesse Nagel, I'm enclosing a copy of a letter that he wrote and I emailed and faxed to Pres. Bush last week..... Stacey Nagel
My name is Jesse Nagel and I am 15 years old. I found out I had type 1 diabetes on December 6th 2001, 5 1/2 years ago. I had a terrible cold, was nauseous, and had a terrible headache for a few days. My mom thought I these symptoms were all stress related because I saw an airplane crash near my house a few weeks before. My Doctor checked me over and did a urine test and told us that I had diabetes. My parents had to rush me to the hospital.
When I found out I had diabetes, my first thoughts were "What is Diabetes?"
At the hospital, they rushed me into a room in the ER and hooked me up to an IV. Then the Dr. came in and gave me a shot of insulin. Getting shots never really bothered me. I thought okay, you gave me my shot, now I'm better, can I go home.
Talk about a big surprise! I had to stay in the hospital for three days and I didn't even feel sick. While I was there, I learned how to check my blood sugar by pricking my finger and putting it up to a little machine. I had to do this 8-12 times a day. I was scared to give myself shots and made my mom or dad do it for me. I found out that I would have to take these shots for the rest of my life, until a cure is found.
The biggest change in my life was that I couldn't just eat anything, anytime I was hungry. No matter if I was hungry or not, I had to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks at specific times. This was a very big change from my previous life style, especially when the ice cream man would come after I already had my snack. My mom finally figured out how to get around this, but that meant getting another shot. Can you imagine how it feels to a kid to have really think before you eat? First you have to check your blood sugar, and then figure out how many carbs are in the food, then take a shot. Then I could finally eat. Imagine taking 6-8 shots a day, or having to decide if that ice cream is worth having to stick yourself in the arm again.......
About 4 years year ago, I went on an insulin pump. Diabetes is a lot easier to control now, but it's still not easy. Living with type 1 diabetes is still a big challenge. For me the hardest part is all the work and thinking I have to do. With the pump I have to worry about changing the infusion set that is attached to the pump and me. I have to change and fill the cartridge with insulin and change the batteries. I still do lots of blood checks, anywhere from 8 to 12 or more times a day!
Diabetes doesn't stop me from doing anything I want BUT it really gets in the way. I can do anything as long as I take care of myself. I still play baseball, basketball, ride my bike all over and do the stuff that normal 15 year olds do. I just have to stop, check my blood all the time and figure out what to do. After 5.5 years. I'm really getting tired of doing this... but I have no choice . If I want to live, I have to do it. It would be so great to be able to play and hang out with my friends and not have to constantly think about my sugar levels.
I know some really little kids and even babies who have diabetes. What's sad is that they've never known what its like to NOT have diabetes. As long as they can remember, they've always had to take shots and check their blood. A cure would be great for all of us before we get complications like going blind, or having our kidneys and hearts get damaged from having erratic blood sugars for so many years.
I dont know if ESCR is the only way to find a cure for duabetes... But after 5.5 years of living and suffering with the Diabetes Monster, I'm willing to try anything.. I rally want a cure .. Insulin is not a cure, It's life support !!
From: Rebecca Myatt, Boaz, Alabama Date: June 15, 2007 Your view: I am Rebecca Myatt of Boaz, Alabama and I have Parkinson's Disease. I firmly believe if we could expand our research on stem cells, one, glorious day, we would be able to put them to use to save human, useful, happy lives. I don't believe President Bush understands, nor has he any reason to understand, our plight. No one who could benefit from stem cell research is wanting to kill embryos. We don't want to kill anybody; we want to save lives and make lives more productive. If President Bush would simply research the facts; open his heart and try to put himself in our positions, I believe he would see things differently. He is being narrow minded and not reading the facts. This is a program that can be monitored and could mean the difference in living a productive life to a life in bed; living instead of dying. This is such an important decision. My hopes for me and the future are greatly diminished by President Bush's failure to study and realize how important this subject is. I pray neither he nor his family ever need the help of stem cell research.
Sincerely, Rebecca Myatt
From: Renee Sinrod, Clearwater, Florida Date: June 15, 2007 Your view: I learned at age 50 that I had adult onset diabetes. I controlled it for years with diet and never had to take insulin. When I reached 76, I had a sight accident to a toe and developed gangrene which led to amputation above the knee of the left leg. Stem Cell research might be the answer to a cure for diabetes and it is unconscionable for the president to veto any bill that could help to alleviate many diseases now considered incurable.
From: Robert Hull, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Date: June 15, 2007 Your view: Though I am a firm Republican Christian. I support no aggenda to suppress embryonic research on moral grounds. All life is sacred, yet we must destroy in order to eat so that we may live. Embryonic research is no different; it is the nature of the universe in which we live. We do not sit above that nature. Neither will such research undermine the church even if used for cloning. Cloning is not the creation of new life, but the duplication of what already exists.
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