Posted on 12/07/2007 4:37:49 PM PST by wagglebee
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a new interview, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney reiterated his position when it comes to embryonic stem cell research. The former governor says he opposes the specific creation and destruction of human life to advance science but he says he would support destroying human embryos from fertility clinics.
Romney spoke with CBS News about his views and said he favors moral stem cell research.
"I'm very much in favor of stem cell research, but in a way which I believe is moral and ethical," he said.
That means he opposes "creating new embryos through embryo farming or through cloning" -- which is a practice he finds "unethical ."
Katie Couric conducted the interview and she asked Romney to describe the kind of embryonic stem cell research he might support.
"So what kind of embryos -- embryos that are created for procreation and then would be discarded? Are those the ones that you feel are perfectly fine from which to cull cells for stem cell research?" Couric asked.
"Yes," Romney responded, "those embryos that are referred to commonly as surplus embryos from in-vitro fertilization."
Romney said he would first like to see human embryos adopted by families before put up for their destruction. However, he explained how he would have no problem with parents who want to allow those human embryos -- unique human beings -- to be destroyed for research.
"But if a parent decides they would want to donate one of those embryos for purposes of research, in my view, that's acceptable," he said. "It should not be made against the law."
At the same time, Romney appeared to side with President Bush in opposing the forcing of taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research that involves the destruction of human life.
"I wouldn't finance that with government money because it represents a moral challenge for a lot of people and I think we're better investing in places where the prospects are much better," he said.
"Yes," Romney responded, "those embryos that are referred to commonly as surplus embryos from in-vitro fertilization."
This is a DIRECT QUOTE and there is nothing the Romneyites can do to dispute it.
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Romney is blundering on this question.
In Vitro Fertilization should be illegal, precisely because it is the creation of human beings as commodities, most of which are murdered.
The use of “surplus embryos” should be illegal for precisely the same reason that the use of data from Nazi experiments on prisoners is shunned. It is a tacit acceptance of the crimes already committed, and it creates a market demand for more crimes.
Would Vitro’s be undocumented workers? You know, no mama, no papa, no papers? I bet they’d work cheap too! Maybe Mitt wants in on the ground floor finance of a new industry? You know, if it going to happen anyways, might as well profit.
Would Vitro’s be undocumented workers? You know, no mama, no papa, no papers? I bet they’d work cheap too! Maybe Mitt wants in on the ground floor finance of a new industry? You know, if it going to happen anyways, might as well profit.
surplus embryos??
And Romneycare pays for abortions too.
WHAT? This is a blunder.
Awefully Ironic position for Romney to be taking considering he claims that it was researching the embryonic stem cell research problem that first convinced him to be pro-life. If he believes the embryos that were specifically created for the purposes of research are human lives who should be saved then I am not sure how he can argue that the embryos that were created for fertility purposes are not human beings also deserving protection under the law.
Excellent point!
He’s just another Massachusetts flip-flopper.
It’s exactly the position of the current President of the United States, and he’s BARELY been able to sustain his vetoes of bills that would actually FUND the process.
Why would anybody deny this? It’s not what some purist pro-lifers say, but I haven’t seen a single candidate for president propose an actual BAN on all embryonic stem cell research.
Bush walked a fine line, allowing actual federal funding for embryonic research on these kinds of cells on the basis that they had already BEEN damaged. But he allowed private funding for the research.
Hopefully this is all moot now that we can make embryonic-like cells without touching embryos.
Now, who here is up for banning in-vitro fertilization altogether? Because that is the true pure pro-life position — either that, or force the woman to emplant every created embryo.
You are right. That is the purest pro-life position. Either make it illegal, or require the woman to implant every egg.
However, ROmney is NOT making a mistake here, especially not politically. Nobody’s going to vote for such a law, and the pro-life community is smart enough not to require such fealty from their candidates, since they DO want to get people elected.
So long as tax money isn’t used to pay for the research, we can do the rest by educating people. Making them criminals isn’t a workable solution.
Does anybody have the responses for the other presidential candidates on this issue?
“those embryos that are referred to commonly as surplus embryos from in-vitro fertilization”
Depraved and twisted. That man lacks a certain something called a soul.
What a stunning misstep by Romney.
Oh, oh....you're gonna get tased, bro.
How can you make a great "Cross of Gold" speech one day and then go ruin it all with this incredible blunder today?
Wait and see.....the top tier GOP candidates save one are going to obsessively blabber themselves right out of the nomination trying to please liberals and conservatives alike......while the ole "lazy one" without the "fire in the belly" will slow-talk himself right into victory.
Leni
No, it isn't.
Bush walked a fine line, allowing actual federal funding for embryonic research on these kinds of cells on the basis that they had already BEEN damaged.
No, he allowed funding on existing stem cell lines. Frozen embryos ARE NOT "damaged."
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