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Advocates Suppress Poll Data, Opposing Viewpoint to Promote Embryonic Stem-Cell Bill 5/21/2005 American majority still opposes tax funding of research that kills embryos.
Rep. Mike Castle (R-Delaware) is touting a poll in his efforts to undo President Bush’s policy and lift the limits on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research. But the misuse of this poll and a fake hearing reveal the questionable tactics of the advocates of embryonic stem-cell advocates.
Along with Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colorado), Castle has introduced the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act" (H.R. 810), which is expected to have a vote in the U.S. House very soon.
They are citing a poll which found that, among Republicans, 57 percent favored embryonic stem-cell research, with 40 percent opposing.
Yet the poll also found that 58 percent of Republicans want no government funding, or they want only the limited funding permitted by President Bush, of the controversial research. Further, a full 70 percent of Republicans approve of President Bush’s handling of stem cells.
But the media and Castle are silent on these results, which reveal the majority does not support the Castle-DeGette bill. The Associated Press stated that Republicans who dissent from President Bush’s policy are circulating the poll as evidence that “they have the party’s voters on their side even if many fellow GOP lawmakers are not.”
In addition, a recent poll commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops found that most Americans, 52 percent, oppose using tax dollars to fund embryonic stem-cell research. Only 36 percent support it.
Even more – 60 percent – favor funding only stem-cell research that raises no moral problem. Respondents were told that stem cells can be obtained by destroying human embryos or from adults, placentas and other ways harmless to the donor. Scientists disagree on which will be most successful in treating diseases.
Only 22 percent of Americans say they support all methods of stem-cell research, including destroying embryos.
Yet Reps. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), Judy Biggert (R-Illinois) and Joe Schwarz (R-Michigan), hungry to spend tax dollars on this unproven and immoral research, stooped so low as to even stage what they called an “ad-hoc hearing” this week in Chicago.
When Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Illinois State Director Kathy Valente called to get on the agenda, an aide told her they were already “filled to capacity” and were not allowing presentations of the opposing side.
The Chicago Tribune reported that “the lack of dissenting voices at [the] hearing--contrary to the custom in official congressional testimony--incensed lawmakers and activists who are opposed to research involving embryos.” Aides to Rep. Mark Kirk told the newspaper that the hearing was “intended solely to make the case for increasing stem-cell-research funding.”
The article noted that one of the witnesses was a child with diabetes. Her mother said they hope that embryonic stem cells could offer a way of replacing the diseased cells that cause diabetes.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has aggressively – and some say deceptively – recruited children and their families to lobby for federal funding of embryonic stem cells. While hyping embryonic stem cells as virtually the only hope for children suffering from Type 1 diabetes, JDRF refuses to fund research that could quickly lead to a total and permanent cure.
Dr. Denise Faustman has had remarkable results, even curing mice of Type 1 diabetes. Yet JDRF has rejected her requests for funding nine times. WORLD magazine reports that Dr. Faustman believes some research, such as hers in the role of proteins in diabetes, has had little support or recognition because it goes against the popular belief that embryonic stem-cell research is the answer to curing diseases.
"I think people who want embryonic stem cells just don't want [alternatives] to work," Dr. Faustman said.
Jim Kelly, an expert on the science and controversies of stem-cell research and cloning, who is also a paraplegic, said, “In hyping embryonic stem cells, the JDRF is pushing the government toward developing the most problematic, least practical means of producing temporary treatments needing periodic renewal ... which will protect JDRF's continued existence and promote its financial growth.”
“Proponents know that when the truth about embryonic stem-cell research is exposed, opposition increases,” said CWA’s Kathy Valente. “These congressmen are purposely holding back the truth. Adult stem cells are already treating 58 diseases. To date, not one disease has been cured or even helped with embryonic stem cells. Financially, embryonic stem-cell research has hit a wall in the private sector, so now they’re trying to get their greedy hands into our back pockets.
“There is a great deal of opposition to using human embryos for stem-cell research for obvious ethical and moral reasons. I can think of no other reason that they would not allow our side to present the truth at this hearing, except out of fear.”
Take Action: The Castle-DeGette bill, "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act" (H.R. 810), is expected to be voted on very soon.
As of May 19, 2005, H.R. 810 had 201 cosponsors -- only 17 short of a majority, which is 218 votes. It is imperative to stop this bill now, and short of that, to prevent an override of President Bush's veto.
Contact your U.S. representative by fax, e-mail and phone (U. S. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121). Click here for contact information.
Tell your representative: "I am a constituent in your district calling to say Vote NO on H.R. 810. Embryo-destroying research is unethical and unnecessary."
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