Terry Everett, August 1, 2004

Medical science is focusing increased attention on research using human stem cells for treatment of a number of serious disorders, including a whole range of cancers, stroke, and liver disease, to name but a few. Unfortunately, this exciting area of medical study has also been misused by opponents of the Bush Administration who seek to distort the President's record of support of vital stem cell research.

"Stem cell research is still at an early stage, but the hope it offers is amazing: infinitely adaptable human cells to replace damaged or defective tissue and treat a wide variety of diseases. Yet the ethics of medicine are not infinitely adaptable. There is at least one bright line: We do not end some lives for the medical benefit of others. For me, this is a matter of conviction: a belief that life, including early life, is biologically human, genetically distinct and valuable." This statement by President Bush makes clear his position that stem cell research is necessary, but that careful attention must be placed to ensure that all human life is protected.

For several years now, liberal politicians and a sympathetic national media have bombarded the American people with a deceptive message about the Bush Administration's support of stem cell research. Rather than work with Congress and the Administration to further current research, they have chosen to exploit it as a political tool, misleading the public about the facts by consistently omitting a key point.

To hear opponents tell it, the Bush White House and the Congress are doing all they can to end stem cell research and the wonderful promise such study can provide patients. The zenith of this criticism was last week's attack on the Bush Administration by Ronald Reagan, Jr. at the Democratic National Convention. The son of the late president has made no secret of his personal views against the sanctity of life which not only run contrary to the Bush White House, but that of his late father. He and others would have us believe that President Bush is opposed to stem cell research outright and that no such research can be conducted unless it be done using human embryos.

This is misleading. The truth is, as President Bush stated above, human stem cell research does offer hope and must continue. Promising results are already coming from using adult stem cells, and placentas and umbilical cord blood - materials rich in stem cells. The point is we don't have to kill human embryos and end a life in order to conduct this vital research - something Ronald Reagan, Jr. conveniently left out of his speech.

Under the Bush Administration, Federal funding for stem cell research has increased from zero in 2001 to nearly $25 million today. And, in an effort to ensure that the nation's inventory of cord blood is genetically diverse and large enough to help patients secure timely transplants, I am currently a cosponsor of the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act (HR 2852). Specifically, this bill authorizes $15 million in Federal funds during Fiscal Year 2004 and $30 million in Fiscal Year 2005 to subsidize blood centers throughout the nation that agree to collect, prepare, and store the blood units that would then be available for use in transplantation treatments. The goal is to boost and maintain the inventory at 150,000 units, a supply that would enable 90 percent of the population to secure an acceptable stem cell match.

Former President Ronald Reagan made clear his views on life in an essay on the tenth anniversary of Roe vs. Wade: "We cannot diminish the value of one category of human life - the unborn - without diminishing the value of human life." Such is also the belief of President Bush as he pursues responsible and beneficial stem cell research.

Congressman Terry Everett, a Republican, represents Alabama's Second Congressional District, which includes the state capitol, Montgomery.