As most of your know President Bush used his first ever veto of the embryonic stem cell research bill.
Today in my in-box I received an email from Governor Howard Dean, M.D. Head of the Democratic National committee.
I'm appalled at the approach he took to the action by the President. You can read it for yourself:
Dear Shaun,
Today George Bush chose political posturing over human life, denying hope to millions of Americans, their families and loved ones who are affected by debilitating diseases.
He used his first-ever veto to stop the discovery of new cures for diseases like juvenile diabetes, leukemia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and many others. More than 70% of Americans from every walk of life -- whether in the faith community, the science lab, the hospital or at the bedside of a sick relative -- and majorities in both chambers of Congress disagree, but that didn't stop him.
The bill he vetoed wasn't a sweeping change -- it was a small, practical measure that would have made a big difference for medical research based on sound science. But the consequences are sweeping: the proposed law would have allowed research on excess embryos generated during processes like fertility treatments -- embryos that would otherwise simply be discarded.
If George Bush truly believed his rhetoric about stem cells, he would do something about the processes that create the excess embryos in the first place. But he won't. They will continue to go unused (his spokesman limply calls it a "tragedy"), and cures will continue to be beyond our reach.
Bush may not be willing to choose cure discovery over his right-wing base, but the vast majority of Americans support cure research.
Even after his veto, Democrats in Congress will continue to keep the pressure on to get more votes. If Republicans refuse to join the cause and override Bush's veto, it will have to be decided at the ballot box in November. Democrats will continue to fight to keep this hope for the discovery of new cures alive.
The Congress and the rest of the country are paying attention right now, and we have to seize this moment to build the coalition of support for cure discovery.
As a medical doctor, I'm offended at the political meddling in potentially life-saving research. All of our families could be touched by hope found through stem cell research: from juvenile diabetes to Alzheimer's, it offers the opportunity for new cures. Yet this important research has been dwindling because of restrictions put in place by Bush five years ago.
That's half a decade we have lost. How much longer will those suffering and their families have to wait?
People can disagree in good faith on this issue, but Bush's extraordinary action doesn't meet that threshold -- it smacks of political calculation. The opportunity to save lives of people with debilitating diseases, and to reduce suffering for them and their families, requires that a president respect the will of the people and the Congress.
History will judge this veto as a sad political calculation.
Just a few votes stand in the way. With your support we'll get them -- either now, or in the new Democratic Congress you elect in November.
When we do, we will restore hope through life-saving research and cure discovery.
Thank you.
Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
5 comments:
What's appalling?
That some of people actually view the willingness to proclaim that playing god with science is wrong in order to save life but it is ok to play god with science to make life and the excess life you need to make it can be discarded as medical waste as hypocritical?
That fact is that this bill does nothing to stop embryonic stem cell research. What it does is deny federal funds for research. It’s perfectly fine under the law for you or I to PURCHASE these embryos (which leads one to look at the morality of purchasing life) and do our own research, make “snowflake” children, or dispose of them if we wish.
Just look at what Tony Snow said in the WH press briefing,
Furthermore -- getting me warmed up here -- for those who are engaged in embryonic stem cell research, there's no legal prohibition against their doing it. What they don't have access to is federal funding. And so the idea that the President is standing in the way of science seems to indicate that the only way you do it is through a federal grant. And there is a burgeoning business -- as you know, a lot of people getting rich already -- in this kind of medical research.
How is this not political posturing and actually doing nothing to protect and defend life as the President claims his veto was?
I don't think using science to create life is acceptable. Just the term excess embryo is offensive. It's life no matter how it was created or if there is extras.
This is not chose political posturing over human life. It a protecting life from the first moment.
President Bush didn't "stop the discovery of new cures". We all know that. As you said, anyone can still put their own money into this if they wish.
There should be no excess embryos, no selling of humans and tax dollars to do it.
Today George Bush chose political posturing over human life.
Um... what gives one human the right to another human's body just because they were here first?
I don't think using science to create life is acceptable.
So you agree with Dr. Dean that Bush's inaction regarding protecting the same embryos from other medical use and later disposal as medical waste is hypocritical.
Just the term excess embryo is offensive.
Then why did you highlight for the reader other comments from Dean if "just the term excess embryo is offensive?" You're contradicting your original post.
This is not chose political posturing over human life. It a protecting life from the first moment.
How so? You say later that you agree with me that this will do nothing to stop anyone and/or corporation from purchasing these embryos and performing the testing and experiments upon them, so how is that not political posturing? If it is to protect life, why can the embryos still be used for science?
All it does is stop taxpayers from funding the research. This government-funded research is typically done via grants by universities and medical centers. If they pay for it themselves or get foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to pay for it, they can still do it.
It is a veto that does nothing to stop the research on embryonic life that he claims it to be, thus it protects NOTHING.
How is that not political posturing for a segment of the GOP electorate?
Let me be clear. There should not be life created by science. That bypasses God and is dangerous. Yet when it happens, that life should still be protected. So yes we should have that law. The problem is we can't have that law until abortion is outlawed.
To even use the term excess embyro is offensive. If a woman has twins can she get rid of one because of excess?
This veto stops my tax dollars from being forced to support this. We can debate the politics of this but I feel it's a step in the right direction.
The government should not be risking tax money on these long shots. If the is the miracle cure some claim it is, let private companies fund it. That does not mean I want it to happen but until our laws refelct a protection of life that's the way it is.
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