Posted on 05/04/2005 6:18:59 AM PDT by hocndoc
May 4, 2005 Texas Thinks Hard about Stem Cell Research
I would not have believed Texas could even consider state funding for embryonic stem cell research until I read this in the Dallas Morning News:
One of the most important questions facing legislators in Austin this session is how to treat research that involves embryonic stem cells, which many scientists believe can help cure diseases such as juvenile diabetes and Parkinson's, as well as spinal cord injuries and other debilitating conditions. Such research is in addition to ongoing research using adult stem cells, which are much more limited in supply.
President Bush has limited federal funds for research using embryonic stem cells. Some Texas legislators want to go further, making such research a felony. At the other end of the spectrum, a joint resolution invites voters to amend the state Constitution to create a stem cell research institute.
In the middle are bills that outlaw the use of stem cells to clone human beings but allow their use in research designed "to develop regenerative or reparative medical therapies or treatments." Researchers would have to comply with strictures to be established by a commission composed of doctors, scientists, bioethicists, legal experts and religious leaders. The panel's members would be appointed by the executive commissioner of the state Department of Health and Human Services.
That is a morally defensible policy that we believe is both ethical and smart. Under no circumstances do we condone replicating human individuals through cloning, but it does not follow that the state should ban carefully controlled research that might lead to cures for some of mankind's most destructive diseases. We urge the appropriate committees to pass legislation by GOP Rep. Beverly Woolley and Democratic Sen. Eliot Shapleigh permitting privately financed embryonic stem cell research.
The important thing which will put Texas ahead of the federal government and most other states is to confront the ethical issues and establish a sound regulatory framework. Some people equate the destruction of any embryo, no matter how early in its development, with the loss of human life. But our society is in the mainstream in having accepted that some embryos will be sacrificed in procedures such as in vitro fertilization, which make other lives possible.
"Most Western industrialized countries share a view that embryos in petri dishes are neither persons nor mere property," according to a report by the Hastings Center, one of the nation's oldest think tanks on bioethics issues. The fundamental question to be asked, the authors suggest, is: "Will a given technique or manner or purpose of embryo research express appropriate respect for these entities?"
We believe Texans can be proud of an approach that seeks to answer that question in a rigorous way in the name of improving the health and well-being of generations to come.
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Please notice that the title is "Stem Cells," while the body and the bill (HB 1929) concerns cloning.
This is bad science, worse ethics, and newspeak to redefine embryo and human as after implantation and some how to make a blastocyst no longer and embryo.
Oh, and Woolley would have us spending $300 million or so on the research institute!!!
It makes more sense for Texans to fund stem cell research than for California to do so. California is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Your tax dollars at work, Texans!
I'm doing everything I can to block the "clone and kill" bills and back HB864 and HB2081, which are true bans, although neither would protect the IVF embryos that are already in existence or those that would be created for reserach.
The bill this op-ed addresses is HB 1929, which prohibits "human cloning," but allows SCNT if the "unfertilized blastocyst" is destroyed by day 14. It redefines human, embryo and the author had no clue as to the science when she presented it to the House State Affairs.
The latest tactic is the "unfertilized' termination. Now, all the pro-embryo destruction crowd are calling the IVF embryos "unfertilized."
Atrocious science and atrocious ethics.
All progeny of humans must be treated as human. Every instance in history where the definition of human was limited other than by the species has resulted in atrocities or, at the very least, discrimination against those later considered human beings.
BTW, did anyone on this site see the report of the treatment of corneal blindness by adult stem cells out of the UK?
http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/042705dnedistemcell.4da41506.html
This is the original from April 27 - now, how did I miss that?
As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Agreed as to stem cells, not as to embryo destruction or human cloning.
And Texas should never lead in bad science that is unethical.
Of course, if this bill passes, Texas will also lead in laws with bad terminology designed to deceive and discriminate against some human beings for the benefit of other human beings.
I'm gettin' on an airplane in a couple of hours, so I need to let y'all know that I'm abandoning the thread 'till I get to Kansas City.
government should not be involved in this at all, but if the voters insist, then it should be the states, not the federal government that does it.
Thank you! We especially need help with some of the members of the House State Affairs Committee, including Representative Cook of Eagle Lake, who still hasn't committed to either side, and then there's Villareal of San Antonio, who loves to attack all prolife speakers about their religion.
http://www.texasphysicians.org/news.php
""TPRC Chairman Criticized for Faith During Stem Cell Hearing
Dr. Linda Flower, Texas Physicians Resource Council Chairman, was criticized for her faith during a legislative hearing on Monday, April 11. While presenting evidence against embryonic stem cell research in front of the Texas House State Affairs Committee, Dr. Flower experienced considerable backlash from Rep. Villarreal (D - San Antonio), as he made numerous attempts to discredit her scientific research on the basis of her pro-life, Christian background. She answered him with "My faith informed my science, but I am a scientist, and I am presenting my scientific evidence." Dr. Flower was testifying in favor of Rep. King's (R - Weatherford) Bill, HB 864, which prohibits cloning and Rep. Paxton's (R - McKinney) bill, HB 2081, which denies funding of embryonic stem cell and Stem Cell Nuclear Transfer (S.C.N.T.) research. "If Texas truly wants to be the leader in biotechnology," Dr. Flower said, "then it should invest its money in adult stem cell research because it works."
ACTION: These two bills are currently still in the State Affairs Committee. As a physician in Texas , your opinion is critical to the stem cell debate. Please don’t miss this opportunity to call members of the committee and remind them that adult stem cell research is working, unlike embryonic, which is human experimentation based on empty promises. Ask them to vote in favor of H.B. 864 and H.B. 2081. CLICK HERE to find the phone numbers of the State Affairs Committee members.""
Here's the link to the FR thread on Villareal's stunts:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1386487/posts
All these little projects add up. One here, one there, another there, and bam we become California!
Thank you! I will get the ball rolling!
"One of the most important questions facing legislators in Austin this session is how to treat research that involves embryonic stem cells"
Texas has become a cesspool of RINO's in the house and senate. They learned well from George.
Texas shouldn't dirty its hands with this business. California, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts will be more than happy to take on this terrible work and all the immoral high-paying jobs that go with it. Please, Texas, stay good.
Signed,
Boston homeowner
That has nothing to do with stem cell research. The Constitution does not bar public funding of stem cell research.
Yeah, well, money is the only language the legislators understand. Just ask the MA legislature. They were dazzled by the dollar signs for the state coffers and their own pockets.
Another reason to support Perry over Kay Hutchison, who's gung-ho for testing on embryos.
If you are talking about research that involves studying data we already have then you are are correct.
If you are talking about research that involves killing persons (a person is immediately present when sperm & egg join together) then you are absolutely wrong.
Murder is a federal crime. The federal powers of prosecution rightly allow the states to prosecute crimes involving life and death where the states are willing to do so.
However where the states are unwilling or incompetent to defend the Fifth Amendment right to life the federal power is apropriately applied when it steps in and defends said right.
That's the way it is...
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