Stem cell vote in the Senate
Effort to circumvent the culture wars puts women’s health at risk. Public interest group says amendment could encourage questionable research that requires women’s eggs
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, being debate today in the Senate, would, if signed by President Bush, reverse the restrictive federal funding policy that has been in effect since August 2001. This would be a welcome development in the divisive debate about embryonic stem cell research.
Unfortunately, both it and an alternative bill could also encourage a technique known as “altered nuclear transfer” (ANT). ANT, a form of cloning, has been proposed by those who wish to avoid research that destroys viable human embryos
Like other forms of nuclear transfer or research cloning, ANT requires large numbers of women’s eggs. The egg retrieval process carries significant risks for women, and procuring eggs for research is widely acknowledged as posing novel ethical and safety concerns, and as requiring new forms of oversight and regulation.
For this reason, it is extremely disappointing that provisions encouraging the development of ANT are included in the legislation being considered today. Both the Republicans who proposed it and the Democrats who are going along with it are making otherwise good legislation problematic.”
This approach to stem cell research puts embryos ahead of women’s health. It is an effort to satisfy opponents of embryo research at the expense of women.
Contact:
Marcy Darnovsky
510-625-0819 x305