Inconvenient Truths about Stem Cell Policy

By David Davenport
Townhall.com

"Stem cell research policy requires the balancing of moral, scientific and social questions. Shallow sound-bites, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying President Bush's stem cell policy "ignores the will of the American people" or Senator Clinton's claim that "as president I will lift the ban on stem cell research" are not helpful. Here are some facts about stem cell policy to keep in mind:

First, there is no ban on stem cell research. What is banned is federal funding of research on newly destroyed embryos.

Second, there is plenty of stem cell research available right now--with state and private funding, existing embryonic lines, amniotic fluids and adult lines.

And third, new research possibilities are opening up that don't cross moral barriers.

The president's policy is a careful balancing of interests, informed by scientists and ethicists--and his recent veto was the right thing to do."