One interesting element of this is that stem cell research has come down on the Democratic side as a "wedge" issue, used effectively in senate campaigns like here in Maryland (Michael Steele, who lost by 10%, compared the research to Nazism) and in Missouri (where Rush Limbaugh accused Michael J. Fox of faking it, and Claire McCaskill ended up winning by 3%). But unlike the right’s endless wedge issues (gay marriage, abortion, etc.) we’re actually going to be doing something about it when we’re in power.
Supporters of stem cell research are confident they will pass legislation expanding federally funded research in the next Congress - regardless of whether President Bush continues to oppose the move.
Congress passed the legislation last year, but Bush killed the bill, exercising his only veto in six years. But the election results have changed the landscape, and Sen. Orrin Hatch believes supporters can round up enough votes to override a presidential veto, if it comes to that.
"I think we have the votes in the Senate to override a veto, and we may have them in the House. I think we can get there," the Utah Republican said. "According to some, we’re only a couple votes short, and I think I know where those votes are."
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who will be the lead sponsor of the House bill, said she recently spoke to the 41 new House Democrats and "to describe them as wildly enthusiastic about this bill would be an understatement."
"I think the election really sent a message to Washington that the voters want embryonic stem cell research passed," she said.
I want to see this bill written into law because people need help, but if we don’t get the amount required to override a veto and Bush (likely) vetoes it — well, that’s yet another great argument in favor of a Democratic president two years from now.
“I think the election really sent a message to Washington that the voters want embryonic stem cell research passed,” she said.
And the deception continues that we don’t already have embryonic stem cell research already. All this would do is expand federal funding.
There is nothing for Congress to “deliver.”
The law only allows the current, bad lines to be looked at. You know that.
The law only allows the current, bad lines to be looked at. You know that.
That’s nonsense. Current law bans only federal funding to support research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 2001. There are no restrictions on the research itself or using private funds to fund the research.
Jay,
Do you realize what those federal restrictions mean? There can be absolutely *no* cross-funding btw stem cell and other research projects. You can’t so much as use a beaker paid for with federal funds on stem cell research. You can’t allow a work-study student to help out in the lab. The stem cell research has to be conducted in a completely isolated wing or floor of the building so that no federal funds are accidently used to mop the frickin’ floors.
This has proven so impractical that very few universities (where most of our fundamental research is conducted) are willing to start-up a stem cell group. The regulations are too onerous, and attracting sufficient private funds to *completely* fund a new lab is rather difficult.
So the effect of the federal band is essentially bringing stem cell research in this country to a grinding halt. Meanwhile, European and Asian scientists are preparing to leap ahead of us. I guess that’s a good thing from the standpoint of finding cures for disease, but it kinda sucks from the perspective of keeping US science competitive.
And the deception continues that we don’t already have embryonic stem cell research already.
For heaven’s sake, Jay. It’s quite clear from Ms. DeGette’s context–limited as it is in the quote provided by the article’s author–that she’s referring to the stem cell bill.
If anyone is being deceptive, it’s not her.
Gee I think the republican governor in california managed to get a multibillion stem cell research grant funded didn’t he?
I believe California did approve a huge stem-cell research bill. California will put up the funds, and that will incent (real word?) private orginazations to pony up further grants. Now, we can either wait for 49 other states to step up, wait for California to make breakthroughs and pas out the goodies, or we can get the feds to follow Arnold’s lead and put the US in the forefront of this research.
On another note, I’m not sure if I read it here or elsewhere, but I like the idea of adding a rider to this new bill. Anyone opposed to funding the research can sign a letter stating that they and their families will never use any cure or other pharmaceutical the comes from this research. Got Parkinsons? Too bad, you said no. Granddaughter diagnosed with Lukemia, too bad, you said no. That way, those opposed can keep their conscience clean.
great idea scott…as long as people who support socialized medicine can only be treated by the government as well Ok?
Again- if you are going to use the term “stem cell research” in the generic sense, the my challenge to you is to name one type of stem cell research that isn’t being done right now.
Secondly, like in your last less than brilliant post on this topic, name a single Republican who is against “stem cell research” in the generic way you like to pose the issue.
I know- in a strictly political sense, it may be a great ‘hammer home’ issue for Democrats unless the research that is currently being done keeps going in the direction it’s going. You know- like the things they are learning about using embryonic stem cells, vs. cord blood and adult stem cells and the treatments they are already beginning to use with the latter.
You see- the deception isn’t about whether or not we have embryonic stem cell research. It’s framing the argument as though ALL stem cell research is threatened, when it clearly is not.
(And how did they found out about those cancer stem cells? Was it research?)
Dr. Pedro-
We have an accord. I have no problem with your proposal.
Marty-
I buy your argument that no Republican is against it in the generic sense. I also buy that what is being said and what is meant are two different things (Stem Cell Research vs. Embryonic Stem Cell research funded by the Federal Government). However, the argument can be made that Right Wing Radio and the associated punditry to go with it dumbed down the national discourse to the current soundbite culture (Cut and Run, Privitization, Nuclear Option, Stay the Course, compassionate conservative, Justice Sunday), therefore, I would think your unhappiness with the level of debate on this issue should lie with those that defined the debate - the right.
As for the new Cancer findings. I have not read any of the reports beyond the headlines, so I do not know how the discovery was made. It may have been private, it may have been public, it may have been embryonic or it may have been adult.
Yet another reason to kill the unborn — Yay!
And actually are congressional Democrats going to pay for this out of their Senate millionaire’s club pockets. I think not. I suspect they will point a gun at working American citizens and say: gimme more cash, I’ve got a program I want funded.
Nahh, the Democrats don’t deliver jacksh*t. They make other people do it or put them in jail.
Dugsie’s back in his bad mood again. How are the Republicans delivering in Iraq post Donald’s resignation, pedugger? Do you listen to your ‘known knowns and known unknowns’ tape at night before you go to sleep?