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 While almost everyone has read about President Barack Obama’s signing of an executive order on March 9 that overturned the August 9, 2001 executive order banning human embryonic stem-cell research issued by President George W. Bush, few are aware of the new legislation introduced in Congress to more permanently protect such research.
On February 4, Rep, Diana DeGette (D.-Colo.), introduced H.R.873, “To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.”
“I want to pass legislation as quickly as possible to codify this so it doesn’t become a ping-pong ball going back and forth between administrations,” said Rep. DeGette. The congresswoman was referring to the fact that Obama had reversed the previous executive order issued by Bush. Bush’s order did allow for limited embryonic stem cell research, but only for 21 cell lines derived from embryos destroyed previously. Congress twice passed legislation attempting to bypass Bush’s order and implement funding for embryonic stem-cell research, but he vetoed it both times. Rep. DeGette had sponsored or co-sponsored both bills.
It is important to remember that not all stem cells are derived from embryos. An AP report dated April 11, 2001 noted: “A biotech company said [today] it has developed technology for extracting large quantities of stem cells from placentas, offering a rich new source of tissue that could be used to treat a variety of diseases.” A January 9, 2007 Daily Telegraph (London) article reported that Dr. Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University stated that the fluid surrounding the fetus has been found to contain stem cells, that, when utilized correctly, "can be differentiated towards cell types such as fat, bone, muscle, blood vessel, nerve and liver cells.” In November 2007, two separate teams from Japan and the United States announced that they have been able to get adult human skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. And a report posted on the website of the University of Utah lists several stem cell therapies that are routinely used to treat disease, including:
- Adult Stem Cell Transplant: Bone Marrow Stem Cells
- Adult Stem Cell Transplant: Peripheral Blood Stem Cells
- Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant
Those who oppose human embryonic human stem cell research for ethical reasons do so in cases involving the creation, usage, and destruction of human embryos. An AP report of August 2, 2001 observed that the three largest churches by membership in the United States: the United Methodist Church, Roman Catholic Church, and Southern Baptist Convention, all opposed research that destroys human embryos. On July 23 of that year, the 2.6-million member Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod sent President Bush a letter opposing embryo-destructive research. Many independent evangelical Christian churches have taken similar stands.
As we write, H.R.873 has 86 cosponsors. Oddly, it has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Though, once born, babies exhibit lots of energy, it is rather chilling to think that the leadership of the House regards embryonic human life as a “commercial” entity.
Senator Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa) has sponsored S. 487, the Senate version of DeGette’s legislation. S. 487 has eight cosponsors and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Click here to take action by sending an email to your representative and senators in Congress telling them to oppose passage of H. R. 873 and S. 487 in both Houses of Congress.
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