Approval of funds for embryonic research appears unlikely

By Tom Strode - Jun 15, 2004 - comment

It is improbable a measure to fund destructive, embryonic stem cell research will make it through Congress this year.

Though most Democrats and even numerous Republicans in Congress have mounted an assault on the Bush administration’s pro-life policy on such research, the President appears to have the support of his party’s leadership in both houses

Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said in early July, however, the Senate has more than the 60 votes needed to prevent a filibuster and bring to the floor legislation to weaken Bush’s ban on federal funding of the controversial research. While the votes for lifting the President’s restriction are in place, Hatch told CNN, he is uncertain if Congress would take action “in this hot political atmosphere,” The Associated Press reported.

Hatch, normally a trustworthy vote for the pro-life cause during his 27 years in the Senate, is one of the leaders of a congressional effort to fund the controversial research. While research on stem cells from adults and such sources as placentas and umbilical cord blood is universally supported, most pro-life advocates inside and outside Congress oppose embryonic stem cell research because it results in the destruction of donor embryos.

That has not prevented Hatch and some others with pro-life credentials in Congress from advocating the government fund the experiments, even though such privately funded research is already legal. In June, 58 senators, including 14 Republicans, wrote Bush urging him to revise his 2001 order barring federal funds for such research. That followed a similar letter in April from 206 of 435 members of the House of Representatives. Thirty-six GOP members signed onto that letter.

The White House has said the President is standing firm, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert have indicated a bill to fund stem cell research on some embryos is unlikely to be considered as a stand-alone measure.

Reps. Michael Castle, R.-Del., and Diana DeGette, D.-Colo., introduced the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 4682, in June after spearheading the House group letter to Bush. The bill would call for federal funding of research on embryos donated by patients at in vitro fertilization clinics. While action on the measure as a free-standing proposal is doubtful, the possibility remains it could gain passage as an amendment to an appropriations bill, though that appears unlikely.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Life, Stem-Cell Research

Post a Comment




Notify me of follow-up comments?

Before You Submit Your Comment (below), Read This:

Thank you for your interest in the ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (SBC).

Comments are moderated to preserve the family-oriented nature of this website and in an attempt to avoid comment spam. We welcome opposing viewpoints, and we will not turn comments away as long as your views are presented with respect to everyone.

Your comments will not appear immediately and are subject to editing or deletion. We will make every attempt to check new comments in a timely manner, though there will likely be delays on the weekends and around holidays.

Please follow the these guidelines to insure your comments will be posted:

  1. Use a real name, at least a real first name. We find folks are less-rude online when not hiding behind a screen-name.
  2. Name-calling and vulgar-language will not be tolerated. Zero-tolerance is our policy. We will not spend time editing profanity. If it contains foul language, your post will be deleted. Oh, and we decide what is and what is not vulgar.
  3. Comments must be on topic. General comments (compliments, complaints, and otherwise) are best delivered here or expressed on your own personal Web site.
  4. And please, do not type in ALL CAPS. It looks like you're screaming at people.

Additionally, within Baptist polity, please recognize that many issues and decisions are addressed at a local church level. SBC denominational (national) offices have no control and desire no control over the activities of a local church. This entity is not responsible for overseeing and insuring the ethical behavior of Southern Baptist pastors or church members. If your concern involves a legal civil or criminal matter, we suggest you contact the proper local officials.

Issues involving pastoral staff or other church members, local Baptist associations or state Baptist conventions are local issues. Therefore the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission cannot and should not address such issues. While we regret we are unable to assist you, we encourage you to seek a biblical resolution of the issue at the local church level. If your question or submission pertains to a matter covered in this text, it is likely we will not acknowledge your submission.

Other than that, we welcome you and hope to see thoughtful discussions at ERLC.com