George Bush's position on
Stem Cell Research: Embryonic stem cells are found in fertilized embryos less than a week old, which can be produced by in vitro fertilization. It is said that stem cells have the potential to cure such diseases as Parkinsons, Alzheimers and diabetes, and has the ability to repair vital organs. In August of 2001, Bush signed an executive order limiting federal research funding for stem cell research to 78 embryonic stem cell lines previously in existence, but only 19 are available and may be outdated and many have become contaminated with mouse feeder cells which make their use for humans uncertain.
Description of Candidate's Position: In August of 2001, President Bush allowed Federal research funds to be spent on existing stem cell lines, based on a decision that would not cross the moral line of destroying a human embryo. President Bush makes clear that he is not willing to compromise the life of an unborn child stating, A...that cluster of cells is the same way you and I, and all the rest of us, started our lives (August 9, 2001, Address to the Nation). Bush focuses on the fact that stem cell research can be done using adult cells, discarded umbilical cords, after birth of a child and human placenta, with out destroying a human embryo. President Bush is the first President to fund the research of stem cells, noting that there is not a ban on the private funding of research on stem cells. Bush does not support the destruction of human embryos to create the stem cell lines.
Quotation from the Candidate: The United States has a long and proud record of leading the world toward advances in science and medicine that improve human life. And the United States has a long and proud record of upholding the highest standards of ethics as we expand the limits of science and knowledge. Research on embryonic stem cells raises profound ethical questions, because extracting the stem cell destroys the embryo and thus destroys its potential for life. Like a snowflake, each of these embryos is unique, with the unique genetic potential of an individual human being. August 9, 2001, Address to the Nation.
Assessment of the Proposal:
Positive: The International Center for Stem Cell Research argues that the end does not justify the means. While there is a potential of relieving human suffering, by ISSCR standards there are moral concerns with taking stem cells from embryos that will never get a chance to enter the fetus. The ISSCR states, for one who holds that we should treat every embryo as a person for purposes of the duty not to kill, embryo-destructive experiments could gain justification only if it were argued that it is sometimes permissible to kill some persons in order to help other persons...link.
Negative: Jamie Thompson, a scientist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, is a founding father of stem cell research. He was the first scientist to remove cells from new embryos and turn them into colonies of cells known as lines. He is concerned that Bush will be in office for another four years and that the policy on embryonic stem cell research will be the same for four more years, severely hindering further research. Thompson stated that Ait will have a serious impact and people will suffer because of it.
Comparison: The major comparison would be that Bush is only willing to fund stem cell research when it uses adult stem cells and stem cells from already existing embryonic lines. Kerry would like to lift restrictions on stem cell research and fund all research done on stem cells. Also, Bush advocates a ban on embryonic stem cell research because of the moral issues he feels an embryo is a human life.
Link to John Kerry's issue page
Sources:
Setting the record straight: Stem cell research:
Policy Memorandum: Bush Administration first to fund embryonic stem cell research: h
National Institute of Health: Stem cell research,
PBS Online NewsHour: Growing Stem Cells