steven
July 29th, 2005, 09:57 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist endorsed government-funded research on human embryonic stem cells Friday, breaking with President Bush and the religious conservatives he's been courting for a 2008 presidential bid. He drew praise from former first lady Nancy Reagan.
"It isn't just a matter of faith, it's a matter of science," Frist, a heart-lung transplant surgeon, said in a Senate speech. "The president's policy should be modified."
Bush remained intent on vetoing the House-passed bill that would loosen his 2001 restrictions on funding of research using stem cells from days-old embryos in a search for cures to spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's and other diseases. Frist, a Tennessee Republican, called Bush around dinnertime Thursday to tell him of his decision.
"The president said, 'You've got to vote your conscience,'" White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. The two appeared on friendly terms Friday when Frist appeared by the president's side at a bill-signing ceremony.
Mrs. Reagan, also called by Frist the night before, began championing stem cell research while caring for her husband, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease for more than decade before his death last year, and she has lobbied Congress quietly.
"Thank you, Dr. Frist, for standing up for America's patients," she said in a statement.
Mrs. Reagan said on MSNBC that she hoped Bush would now look at the issue differently and not veto the bill, a view echoed by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., a cancer patient who is the measure's chief sponsor in the Senate.
Anti-abortion religious conservatives, a key constituency for any aspiring Republican presidential nominee, swiftly made their negative reaction clear.
"He cannot be pro-life and pro-embryonic stem cell funding," said Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition. "Nor can he turn around and expect widespread endorsement from the pro-life community if he should decide to run for president."
Several Republicans close to Frist said he came to his decision after consulting with scientists at Stanford University and elsewhere and watching biomedical research advance overseas
He said the 22 lines of embryonic stem cells now available for research are deteriorating and don't meet the needs of scientists searching for cures. Stem cells derived from embryos can develop into any kind of tissue in the body. Scientists are looking at ways to manipulate them to replace diseased or injured tissues.
With recent polls showing that some two-thirds of Americans support embryonic stem cell research and a majority favor fewer restrictions on taxpayer funding for it, Frist's speech could also help him win over moderates.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FRIST_STEM_CELLS?SITE=NYBUE&SECTION=HOME
"It isn't just a matter of faith, it's a matter of science," Frist, a heart-lung transplant surgeon, said in a Senate speech. "The president's policy should be modified."
Bush remained intent on vetoing the House-passed bill that would loosen his 2001 restrictions on funding of research using stem cells from days-old embryos in a search for cures to spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's and other diseases. Frist, a Tennessee Republican, called Bush around dinnertime Thursday to tell him of his decision.
"The president said, 'You've got to vote your conscience,'" White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. The two appeared on friendly terms Friday when Frist appeared by the president's side at a bill-signing ceremony.
Mrs. Reagan, also called by Frist the night before, began championing stem cell research while caring for her husband, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease for more than decade before his death last year, and she has lobbied Congress quietly.
"Thank you, Dr. Frist, for standing up for America's patients," she said in a statement.
Mrs. Reagan said on MSNBC that she hoped Bush would now look at the issue differently and not veto the bill, a view echoed by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., a cancer patient who is the measure's chief sponsor in the Senate.
Anti-abortion religious conservatives, a key constituency for any aspiring Republican presidential nominee, swiftly made their negative reaction clear.
"He cannot be pro-life and pro-embryonic stem cell funding," said Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition. "Nor can he turn around and expect widespread endorsement from the pro-life community if he should decide to run for president."
Several Republicans close to Frist said he came to his decision after consulting with scientists at Stanford University and elsewhere and watching biomedical research advance overseas
He said the 22 lines of embryonic stem cells now available for research are deteriorating and don't meet the needs of scientists searching for cures. Stem cells derived from embryos can develop into any kind of tissue in the body. Scientists are looking at ways to manipulate them to replace diseased or injured tissues.
With recent polls showing that some two-thirds of Americans support embryonic stem cell research and a majority favor fewer restrictions on taxpayer funding for it, Frist's speech could also help him win over moderates.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FRIST_STEM_CELLS?SITE=NYBUE&SECTION=HOME