Posted on 01/24/2007 4:14:09 PM PST by Brilliant
The state would pay for stem-cell research, including studies using cells harvested from embryos, under a bill filed Tuesday in the Florida Legislature that might have new hope because of backing from Gov. Charlie Crist.
The proposal has failed before, but its chances may be enhanced this year with the support of Crist...
"I think it's important, and we talked about it during the campaign, because of the promise it has for maybe the curing . . . of many diseases and maladies that exist for a lot of our citizens," Crist said.
The bill (HB 555)...would require the state to spend at least $20 million a year for 10 years on grants to researchers doing studies using several types of stem cells, including adult stem cells, amniotic stem cells and embryonic stem cells...
Researchers say embryonic stem cells hold the promise of medical breakthroughs because they have the ability to become any tissue in the body. But the research involves the destruction of frozen embryos created for in vitro fertilization...
Opponents say embryos are human beings and it's wrong to destroy them. Supporters counter that embryos that go unused by in vitro fertilization clinics are discarded anyway.
The idea was proposed last year in the Legislature but failed to get a floor vote. Gov. Jeb Bush had opposed the bill, as had many Republicans...
Now the idea is personally supported by Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, but he insists he won't push his chamber in any direction ...and expressed concern ...that the "political" arguments over embryonic research threatened stem-cell research in general.
House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Coral Gables, opposes the idea. But he, too, has said he won't stand in the way...
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Let's use Charlie as the first donor.
Good for Charlie---He's a good guy and will be recorded in Fla. history as one of the very few really good governors. He's not going to bow and scrape in deference to the fanactic on the far right.
When does the human spirit take up residence with the human body?
We've had a lot of good governors in Florida. I think he'll probably remind folks of Mel's brother, Bob Martinez, who turned out to be one of the most unpopular governors in our state's history. Crist should remember that someone's gotta pay for that, and unlike the federal government, the State of Florida can't just print money. That means increasing taxes, which by the way, is why Martinez was unpopular.
"But the research involves the destruction of frozen embryos created for in vitro fertilization ..." With so many states planning funding for this, there will not be sufficient embryonic victims in fert clinics to go around ... so how will the shortage be handled? The very plea for 'utilization' is proof that exploitation of human beings at embryo age is at the basis of in vitro fert. The feet are firmly in the room and the body is following fast on.
No, he'll just bow and scrape in deference to the Democrats, like every other rino.
Charlie Crist ping...
No response? Do you even believe there is a human spirit?
Did you vote for him?
Another state gets suckered by the ESC fraud.
Social liberals almost universally end up getting outed as fiscal liberals.
I dunno about anyone else, but I didn't vote for him.
Personally, I don't have any problem with embryonic stem cell research. I just don't think the government should pay for it. There are plenty of venture capitalists who are doing this research. Let them take the risk.
I resent him doing this, but not surprised he would go in this direction.
Notice...Jeb Bush did not support this.
And all those who gave me a hard time because I vehemently opposed his candidacy....
..Are you happy now?
Are you happy to pay for this?....Happy to be going in this direction?
He's the only Republican I didn't vote for, either, and he still won. Crist is still better than Jim Davis would've been, but not by much.
A pity folks like you don't have come and steal the money personally.
Yeah. Of course, it's not like I had any real choice. His opponent was even more liberal.
Wrong, even independents and most liberals oppose tax-payer funded stem-cell research. Let Crist pay for it himself.
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