Republicans Pushing Obama to Overturn Stem Cell Ban
It is well known that the Republican Party is deeply split over the issue of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. A large contingent of GOP officials in the Senate, including John McCain, support the funding. Now, some GOP officials in the House are aggressively pushing for President Obama to overturn the ban instituted by President Bush. CNN reports:
(CNN) – A group of six moderate House Republicans have written to President Obama urging him to lift President Bush’s ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
“We are writing to respectfully urge that you immediately lift the current federal restrictions on funding for embryonic stem cell research,” they wrote Wednesday, also requesting that the president ask the National Institutes of Health to issue “appropriate guidelines.”
The letter was signed by Reps. Fred Upton of Michigan, Charles Dent of Pennsylvania, Brian Bilbray of California, Michael Castle of Delaware, and Mark Steven Kirk and Judy Biggert of Illinois.
Bush announced in August 2001 that his administration would allow federal funding only for research on about 60 stem cell lines that existed at the time, but Obama stressed on the campaign trail that he planned to reverse Bush’s regulations and emphasize science over ideology.
“I guarantee you that we will sign an executive order for stem cells,” Obama told a retreat of House Democrats in Virginia earlier this month. But some supporters of stem cell research have griped that Obama has not acted quickly enough to overturn Bush’s ban.
“While we have been encouraged by recent news reports that you plan to issue an Executive Order soon, we cannot stress enough the importance of swift action,” the moderate GOP members of Congress wrote Wednesday. “After the current restrictions are lifted, we stand ready to work with you and our colleagues in Congress on adopting complimentary legislation.”
The Republicans said that stem cell research holds “great promise” for Americans suffering from afflictions like Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries and diabetes.
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I wonder if a lot of “conservative Christians” are thinking, “Et tu, Brute?” right about now.
I think we would have had this ban overturned, whether or not we had McCain or Obama as president. Obviously there is no good reason to do so, but, it is also clear, the Republican Party, the “party of life” only is such in regards to some kinds of life, in some situations, some of the time, while it will work to foster more of the culture of death as we see here. Democrats, of course, fare no better. They also seek to preserve life in some circumstances, but not others. But I don’t think their rhetoric is of the same ideological kind as Republicans, and so not so hypocritcal. As long as pro-life advocates do not deal with the issue of IVF, and the kinds of evil it produces, everyone will see how empty their words are in regards to personhood. As long as Democrats and Republicans do not consider the fact that we cannot sacrifice one life (a child, someone who is poor, an illegal immigrant) for the sake of another, we will also see the ideology of death continue to be embraced in our culture.
I think we would have had this ban overturned, whether or not we had McCain or Obama as president.
Definitely. Though Blackadder noted that McCain likely would have signed a bill that passed Congress whereas Obama likely will use executive order.
I guess a totally pointless campaign against FOCA was emotionally more satisfying than an undoubtedly hopeless campaign against stem-cell research. But I still don’t get it.
All these folks have long been stem cell suporters. Castle was the author of the bill that Bush vetoed. I know Dent, Castle, and Kirk are all pro-choice. I’m guessing the others are too.
…that he planned to reverse Bush’s regulations and emphasize science over ideology.
Interesting way of putting it.
David:
I guess a totally pointless campaign against FOCA was emotionally more satisfying than an undoubtedly hopeless campaign against stem-cell research. But I still don’t get it.
Nice to find a point of agreement. :)
But guys, the GOP is the “pro-life party”!!! We must unconditionally support all Republican candidates, no matter what their views are, because their platform says they are opposed to abortion! How dare you criticize them?
Stem Cell technology,when fully implemented will save hundreds of thousands of lives, improve the quality of life for those inflicted with incureable dideases such as Parkinson’s, Diabetes, specific Heart disorders,etc.
Those who are concerned about destroying a 6 day old stem cell , yet have no objection to blowing up millions of living humans in defense or offence battles during wars. It doesnt make much sense. Countries like Pakistan will execute a person who changes their religion from the one they advacoate.
President Obama is a leader who will change the Bush policy. Lets reverse the Bush policy now. Remember this when you vote at the next election.
Henry W., perhaps you might a more serious effort to understand those you disagree with before you erect your strawmen.
Henry Karlson,
Out of curiosity, do you actually run into anyone who calls the GOP the “party of life”?
I run into plenty who call the Democrats the “party of death”, and I can see why though I don’t think it’s a fully apt description. But as we know, assuming dualism is a problem. And in this case, I’m not actually aware of anyone calling the GOP the “party of life”, other than as a straw man.
Though, of course, I tend to only read those I respect, so that narrows the field a lot. Perhaps I missed something.
Darwin
Yes, I have. You can even find things like this http://www.rnclife.org/brochure/rprolife.html on the net. Or this: http://www.nrlc.org/press_releases_new/Release082708.html (“embraces life”). Then this: http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Values.htm (where Ruth said, “The Republican Party is the pro-life party.”). So I’ve seen it in many forms.
Stem Cell technology has already helped thousands and cured many diseases. Adult Stem Cell technology, that is. Not embryonic.
Regardless, even if ESC technology could cure every disease in the world and make us all look like supermodels until the age of 90, it would still be morally wrong.
For the record, I am against intentionally blowing up innocent persons, be they six day old embryoes, six year old children, or sixty year old men/women. Even if it means dying of a disease or losing/not engaging in a war.
Oh yes, I will remember this if I vote at the next election.