August 2, 2005
Frist Stem Cell Shocker Awakens Pro-Lifers
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's recent announcement that he has decided to break with the White House by supporting expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research came as a shock to many in the Pro-life camp. Frist announced that he will support a bill, already passed by the House, that expands federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.
His new position may set the stage for the first veto from President Bush who has set limits on such research.
“I am pro-life," Frist said from the Senate floor. "I believe human life begins at conception. I also believe that embryonic stem cell research should be encouraged and supported.”
Concerned Women for America expressed "significant doubt" about Frist's commitment to pro-life values. "To say in one breath he's pro-life and believes human life begins at conception, and in another to disregard that entire statement by claiming he believes embryonic stem cell research should be encouraged and supported, it gives us great pause towards his pro-life commitment," said Lanier Swann, CWA's director of government relations.
Conservative groups say Senator Frist, who is also a transplant surgeon, can no longer call himself pro-life if he supports embryonic stem cell research. Some conservatives call Frist's reasoning contradictory and warn that he may regret his words if he runs for president in 2008.
But not all Republicans agree. USA Today quotes Republican strategist Charlie Black who estimates that one-fourth to one-third of Republicans disagree with Bush on stem cell research. "…the Tennessee Republican could have been speaking for many in his party who disagree with religious conservatives who equate such research with abortion because it destroys embryos."
Moderate Pennsylvania GOP Senator Arlen Specter says that Frist's change of position is very important. “When Sen. Frist said what he did, it gave it a big boost in two dimensions -- one is on the science because he is so well respected as a physician and researcher, and the second is on the politics side,” Specter said. “I think now there are many senators, and I think it will have an impact on the House as well, who can say, well now, there is a little political cover.”
USA Today quotes Michael Franc, a congressional expert at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, who explains the dilemma that pro-life lawmakers face from the stem cell debate. “If you think about all the issues that are ripe on the social issues front, (stem cell research) is probably the only one where the conservatives are on the defensive.” Referring to people who hope such research could lead to cures for diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and spinal injuries, he said, “It's a very hard ‘no' for an elected official to deliver to a constituent.”
But despite political pressure from stem cell research proponents like Nancy Reagan, Michael J. Fox, and the widow of Christopher Reeves, President Bush has said he will veto any bill that extends embryonic stem cell research beyond the limits he imposed in 2001. The president is opposed because embryos are destroyed when the stem cells are extracted.
Despite Frist's new position on the volatile issue there do not appear to be enough votes in Congress to override a presidential veto.
And the important information that liberals have left out of this conversation is that after 20 years of research, embryonic stem cells haven't cured a single disease. According to Dr. Kelly Hollowell of Science Ministries, "They haven't been used to treat people because the cells are unproven and unsafe. They tend to produce tumors, cause transplant rejection, and form the wrong kinds of cells."
"By stark contrast, adult stem cells have treated over 58 diseases in human patients in published clinical studies" she explains. "Some of the most startling advancements have come in treating Parkinson's disease, juvenile diabetes, and spinal cord injuries… Right here at home, at least three young American women, Laura Dominguez, Susan Fajt and Melissa Holley, who suffered paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries, regained muscle control thanks to a procedure using adult stem cells taken from their own noses."
Congress is in recess until after Labor Day, and Frist didn't set a date for debate on this bill. But Senator Specter and other bill supporters say they have enough votes to pass it.
The House of Representatives didn't reach the veto-proof total of 290 votes and it will be some time before it is known if Frist's support will help the bill garner enough votes to survive a Bush veto in the Senate. Two-thirds of the Senate, or 67 votes, are needed to override a veto.
Like so many volatile social issues facing our country today, educating the public will be the key to the stem cell research debate.
See related CBN News story
More from Science Ministries
More from Concerned Women for America
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