CWA’s LaRue Addresses Stem-Cell Issue in Washington Post’s Online Chat     10/27/2004
By Pamela Wong

She sets the record straight using wit and the facts.

In an online debate on Monday, Concerned Women for America’s chief counsel, Jan LaRue, served as an expert in a live, online chat on stem-cell research on Washingtonpost.com.

Asked why stem-cell research has become such an issue in this election, Mrs. LaRue responded: “People care deeply about their health and that of their loved ones. Most all of us want to live long and healthy lives. Even politicians get that.”

As an issue related to life, death and disease, stem-cell research generates deep emotions. Supporters see embryonic stem-cell research as the avenue to dramatic (though so far unproven) cures; opponents call for continued research using adult stem cells, which have treated and cured many diseases, without destroying human embryos.

In the online venue, Mrs. LaRue provided substantive answers to questions submitted by Washington Post readers. She followed Ron Reagan, the son of former President Ronald Reagan who supports unlimited embryonic stem-cell research, even correcting one of his statements.

“In response to a question earlier today,” said LaRue, “Ron Reagan said: ‘John Kerry to my knowledge has said no such thing [that embryonic stem cells will enable the paralyzed to walk]. He realizes that embryonic stem-cell research offers a potential cure for many diseases but nobody including Mr. Kerry is offering any guarantees.’

“Ron is wrong. Here's what John Edwards told a rally in Iowa earlier this month: ‛If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk, get up out of that wheelchair and walk again.’ That's political pandering at its worst,” said LaRue.

She cited two American women who testified before Congress after receiving adult stem-cell treatment in Portugal. Although American doctors told them they would never get out of their wheelchairs, after adult stem-cell treatment, “they can both stand and walk with the assistance of braces,” LaRue said.

To read the transcript of Jan LaRue’s chat, click here.

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