Gingrich Vows to Ban Embryonic Stem Cell Research

(Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

U.S. Republican presidential candidate and former Speaker
of the House Newt Gingrich (R) speaks to the media after
attending a church service at the Exciting Idlewild
Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida January 29, 2012.

"I believe life begins at conception," the Republican
presidential hopeful stressed Sunday at a news conference
outside a Baptist church in Lutz, Fla.

"The question I was raising was what happens to embryos in
fertility clinics," Gingrich added, referring to the remarks he
made a day earlier at another Baptist church in Winter Park,
that embryonic stem-cell research amounts to "the use of
science to
desensitize society over the killing of babies."

Gingrich's proposal was seen as an attempt to woo evangelical
voters and gain an edge over former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, his biggest opponent in
Florida.

Gingrich went on to say he was in favor of a commission to
"look seriously" at the ethics of how fertility clinics are
managed. "If you have in vitro fertilization, you are creating
life; therefore, we should look seriously at what the rules
should be for clinics that are doing that, because they are
creating life," The Associated Press quoted him as saying
outside Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church.

Gingrich, who vocally supported federally funded research about
a decade ago, said he was also against the use of leftover
embryos for stem cell research.

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In vitro fertilization or IVF refers to formation of an embryo
outside a woman's body for implant inside the womb. Human
embryos can also be used in treatment or cure of illnesses and
injuries but they have life, conservatives say.

In 2009, President Barack Obama lifted restrictions on federal
funding for stem cell research, which were put in place by his
predecessor, George W. Bush in 2001.

Romney, who is not against the use of stem cell research on
excess embryos in fertility clinics, is leading in polls in
Florida. Reuters/Ipsos online poll results released Sunday
showed Romney having the support of 42 percent of likely voters
while Gingrich's support stood at 30 percent.

"It's clear that Romney's run a much more focused and effective
campaign in Florida than Newt," Republican strategist Matt
Mackowiak said Sunday, according to Reuters. "Newt's playing
defense every single day in every way and doesn't seem to be
able to make Romney play defense."

Excerpt from:
Gingrich Vows to Ban Embryonic Stem Cell Research