Brownback disappointed in Frist endorsement of stem cell research

AP on Monterey Herald ^ | 7/29/05 | Sam Hananel - AP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Sen. Sam Brownback expressed disappointment Friday in the surprise decision by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to endorse research on human embryonic stem cells, but said he looks forward to debating the issue on the Senate floor.

Opposition to embryonic stem cell research has been a signature issue for Brownback as he courts Christian conservatives in weighing a possible bid for the presidency in 2008.

The Kansas Republican has hinted that he might even filibuster a bill allowing the research if alternatives are not considered at the same time. But Brownback said Friday he would be satisfied if the Senate also allowed a vote on several alternative stem cell bills backed by conservative groups.

"I'm disappointed, but I wouldn't consider it a defeat at all," Brownback said. "This is a robust debate that's going on in the nation and it should."

A measure sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter pending in the Senate would permit federal funding for research on stem cell lines currently stored at fertility clinics.

Federal funding is currently limited to specific stem cell lines in existence as of Aug. 9, 2001.

The measure, which has considerable support in the Senate, already has been approved in the House. But President Bush has threatened to veto the measure.

Because human embryos are destroyed during research, religious conservatives and abortion opponents have staunchly opposed the Specter bill.

Brownback said he wants a vote on his measure to ban human cloning for reproduction and research.

[DefiantZERO]

President Brownback just doesn't flow.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Brownback 2008

[ndkos]

It sounds a whole lot better than President Frist!

[Dog Gone]

Because human embryos are destroyed during research, religious conservatives and abortion opponents have staunchly opposed the Specter bill.

Aren't they also destroyed by being discarded?

[Stellar Dendrite]

Allen 2008!

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Allen/Brownback 2008?

[DefiantZERO]

Bingo.

[nickcarraway]

Do you think Hillary will put Bill on the Supreme Court when she's president?

[NormsRevenge]

Is it an act of desecration if they are either destroyed and/or discarded?

We would probably disagree at what point 'real' life is created.

[NormsRevenge]

or maybe not. ;-)

[MikefromOhio]

Frist WAS up there as a potential Presidential candidate.

However, this really doesn't help him at all. Obviously it hurts him with both religious conservatives AND anyone Pro-Life. Add to that it puts him at odds with the current sitting President probably doesn't help him...

I would have put him at #3 for possible candidates...

This has to drop him to 7 or 8....

Sooner or later he may be relegated to Tancredo/Buchanan/Graham territory

[Stellar Dendrite]

Actually I was hoping Allen/DeLay 2008....

Don't get me wrong, I like Brownback...he's my senator.

[Former Fetus]

Aren't they also destroyed by being discarded?

What we need is to set limits on how many embryos can be formed in vitro, i.e. no more than will be implanted, no "spare" embryos. That, and encouraging embryo adoption would eliminate the problem of discarding "leftover" embryos.

[Dog Gone]

It comes down to this. I haven't heard the ardent pro-life groups take the position yet that all embryos created at fertility clinics have the right to be born. Maybe they have, and I just haven't heard it.

But if they aren't complaining about unused embryos being discarded, then what's the logical basis for complaining if they're being dissected and used for medical purposes?

[MikefromOhio]

Allen/Watts....

[conservativecorner]

He's not the only one BUMP!!

[Stellar Dendrite]

My issue isn't about embyronic stem cell research. My issue is with federal funding of it. Say NO to socialism!

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

He's my Senator too. LOL! I love DeLay, but the libs have a load of imaginary dirt on him.

[Dog Gone]

I think the problem with that is that you don't know how many embryos will be created during the in vitro process. But I'm quickly getting out of area of expertise here and will defer to others.