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Ron Reagan Disguised Pro-cloning Message Behind Research Label, Says Dr. Janice Crouse 7/28/2004 Washington, D.C. – Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) expressed great disappointment at Ron Reagan’s attempt to promote human cloning under the pretense of advocating stem-cell research in his speech last night to the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
Reagan’s muddied definition of embryonic stem-cell research actually described creating exact genetic replicas of people in order to harvest the cloned humans’ cells and tissue. “Perhaps Ron does not know that the United Nations is currently debating a treaty to ban the procedure,” said Dr. Janice Crouse, spokesperson for CWALAC.
“Ron Reagan did not explain where he expects scientists to get the raw materials to create the millions, even billions, of clones to accommodate every disease and disability that he claims could be cured,” Dr. Crouse said. “The eggs he spoke of must come from women, women who would have to be injected with potent drugs to release numerous eggs, and then surgically invaded to remove the eggs.”
“Such treatment toward women at the insistence of scientific curiosity and medical research falls short of the dignity and respect women deserve,” said Dr. Crouse.
Furthermore, President Reagan’s other son, Michael Reagan, recently wrote in a column that was published in the online version of Human Events:
“[T]hose arguing for embryonic stem cells have embarked on a campaign of disinformation, claiming that there are scientific reasons for believing that their research can be expected to lead to a cure for Alzheimer's disease.”
Dr. Crouse continued: “Ron Reagan falsely painted opponents of embryonic stem-cell research as ‘standing in the way of this remarkable future,’ while neglecting to mention the research that is actually producing cures. In contrast, Reagan promoted embryonic stem cells, which not only have failed to produce any known cure, but have also caused life-threatening tumors. Contrary to myth, scientists are entirely free to continue research that kills human embryos apart from federal funding.”
“Meanwhile, President Bush supports the effective stem-cell research—cells that come from adult tissue, placenta and umbilical cord blood,” said Crouse. “Cures for diseases from cancer to Parkinson’s to cataracts have come from adult stem cells, and federal funds continue to promote these successful advances.”
For Information Contact: Natalie Bell (202) 488-7000 media.cwfa.org |