Posted on 01/30/2005 11:50:38 AM PST by underlying
Hartford, CT (LifeNews.com) -- Governor Jodi Rell made her proposal to spend millions on embryonic stem cell research official on Friday. She says she wants to spend $20 million of the $316 million surplus on the controversial research that involves the destruction of human life.
Rell announced that the state budget she will submit to legislators will call on creating a special fund with the money to be used to draw in other investments for stem cell research in the state.
"We can spur research at our universities and create strong relationships with others who want to move stem cell research forward," the governor said in a statement. "This investment makes good common sense in terms of both public health and job creation.
Pro-life groups strongly support stem cell research but oppose the kind involving embryonic stem cells because unborn children in their earliest days must be destroyed to obtain them.
They support the use of adult stem cells, which comes from more ethical sources and have already produced dozens of treatments for cures and diseases. Embryonic stem cells have yet to cure any patients.
The initial $20 million investment would be spread out over two years, Governor Rell indicated, and she said more money would be needed in the future.
Rell said she would also propose legislation that would make Connecticut a "safe haven" for embryonic stem cell research. The legislation would ban human cloning for reproductive purposes but allow it for research.
In addition to opposition from pro-life groups, Rell may encounter opposition from lawmakers, including many fellow Republicans concerned about the state's money situation.
While the last fiscal year ends with a surplus, the next year is projected to be $1.3 billion in the red.
Still, Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams wants to spend at least $100 million.
"Let us be bold," Williams told the Hartford Courant. "Let us not lose the opportunity."
Marie Hillard of the Connecticut Catholic Conference is one of the few pro-life advocates in the state speaking out against the research.
Her group opposes the bill because it would involve the destruction of days-old human embryos. She also says the benefits of embryonic stem cell research are overstated and that the use of adult stem cells has been more effective and already provided cures for various diseases and ailments.
"We believe there is a tremendous amount of misinformation," she told the Courant newspaper.
No answer yet.
tag. You're it.
Ping to self for later pingout.
This one is about the 40th thread from the same poster, writer and same site in about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The Viking Kitties must be sleeping in today.
LOL, one minute 29 seconds. Next one is mine, LOL.
Why does she need to spend anything? Regardless of your politics or abortion perspective, this is nothing but corporate welfare. Let biotech companies take the risks and spend their own cash, if they want to reap future profits.
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
Private industry won't spend their own money on the embryonic research because they know it's a dead end. Private companies are already spending their own money on adult stem cell projects because that know that works.
When the state spends OUR money exclusively on this selective research ...
IT'S NOTHING MORE THAN THE MAINSTREAMING AND ACCEPTANCE OF ABORTION.
Surplus? What surplus?? Are they kidding?
Moral Absolutes Ping.
Catching up on some articles - amazing how so many liberals are infatuated with death - all kinds of death. Physical death, death of morality, death of the natural family, death of the old, death of the sick, death of the unborn. To be a liberal is to be a ghoul.
There's so much wrong with this. And why should taxpayers have anything whatsoever to do with funding industry of any kind? Even if this type of research did not involve death, and looked useful, it should not - NOT - be publicly funded.
Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.
CT always says that, especially with an election campaign due to be starting soon! Could it be the Governor's election is in 2006?
If there is a surplus, they can pay all their State Employees the injury claims they are owed after being injured as a direct result of understaffing and State neglect. They have only been waiting 6-10 years, some lost their homes and everything they had.
Surplus indeed! She is beginning to resemble Rowland.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.