Foes of stem-cell research create their own scientific reality

Froma Harrop (Seattle Times):

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research has spoken. If Missouri bans embryonic stem-cell research, as some legislators want, the institute will not build a second facility in Kansas City. Is that understood?

California needs no such warnings. Not only does the state allow this research, but it may soon raise $3 billion of its own money to pay for it. New Jersey, meanwhile, plans to spend $6.5 million on a stem-cell-research facility.

All these things are happening at the state level because President Bush has refused to commit the federal government to advancing the study of embryonic stem cells. The research could find cures for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes and other diseases. Polls show a public solidly for it. But anti-abortion groups object to the research because it destroys embryos, and Bush wants the groups' support.

So rather than ban embryonic stem-cell research in an honest and straightforward manner, Bush has created confusion and a pretend compromise. His famous executive order of three years ago allowed funding for research only on the 79 embryonic stem-cell lines existing on Aug. 9, 2001 — 58 of which were useless.

more...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002043479_harrop23.html

Obviously, science is not a strong point for some people in this country.