Terry Everett, January 15, 2007

Last week, the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to allow Federal funding of a controversial type of stem cell research using human embryos. A similar bill passed during the last Congress and was correctly vetoed by President Bush, using his first ever veto pen. Lawmakers should seek to strike a balance between protecting life and also giving the hope of life, and this legislation fails in this regard.

Congressional supporters of human embryonic stem cell research give the impression they are the only ones supporting the use of stem cells for healing purposes and that embryonic stem cell research is the only legitimate form of such study. They do not tell the whole story. In fact, non-embryonic stem cells - adult stem cells - are gaining much attention in medical research. Harvesting stem cells from placentas and umbilical cord blood cells, a process which does not threaten life, also holds great promise for providing medical treatment and cures.

Studies have already shown that cord blood stem cells have the capability to change into other cells, thus giving them the potential to aid in regenerating organs and treat many fatal, terminal, and debilitating conditions, including spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and heart disease. Cord blood cells have already been used to improve the health of persons suffering from sickle cell disease, leukemia, spinal cord injury, and some neurological diseases. Cord blood transplants also enjoy the advantage of not needing to be a perfect match in order to treat a patient.

Adult stem cells are not the only option for scientific medical study. Just last week researchers at Wake Forrest University revealed that a different type of stem cell may have the ability to grow a wide variety of body tissues, including brain and muscle cells. What's more, this stem cell can be easily harvested from the amniotic fluid of pregnant women without any negative effect on the mother or the fetus. No human lives would be placed at risk using these amniotic stem cells which are readily available.

At present, Federal funding of activities that destroy, discard, injure, or kill existing human embryos is illegal. As a result, embryonic stem cell research cannot be performed using Federal money. However, it is not widely known that the prohibition of Federal funds for embryonic stem cell research does not apply to the private sector. Such privately funded research remains legal in the United States. But many believe, as I do, that the government should not help fund the creation and destruction of human embryos for scientific research. As has already been mentioned, there are better ways to save human life than by taking life.

Stem cell research is a truly exciting area of medical study and the use of adult stem cells, cord blood, and the potential of amniotic stem cells present a sound way to ensure that good science and ethics can work together for our benefit. There should be no need to take a life to save a life in pursuing stem cell cures.

The House's passage of legislation allowing Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is regrettable and it is likely the bill will suffer the same fate as its predecessor in the last Congress - a well-deserved presidential veto.

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