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 ...
Now's a good time to check the stem cell cure/therapy scoreboard.
Looks like it currently 72-0, adult stem cells v. embryonic stem cells.
http://www.stemcellresearch.org/
ESCs may yet be the miracle cure. Time will tell.
Sadly, just like my own NYS, the majority of Floridians did not do their research.
Even worse, is that Florida Republicans voted for the wrong Republican in the primaries.
"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."
Better take a look at your "hero." He was one of the ones responsible for Terri Schiavo's painful dehydration death, and now he is for the death of little embryos.
Did you know that you, and everyone you love, was once an embryo?
Crist is not pro-life. His opponent in the primary, Gallagher was pro-life. He lost.
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