Bart Stupak: “I support stem cell research using adult stem cells, cord blood, and amniotic stem cells. I do not, however, support…”

“I support stem cell research using adult stem cells, cord blood, and amniotic stem cells. I do not, however, support destroying life in the name of research. H.R. 3 fails to address the most basic essential ethical question of when does life begin and when should life, including human embryos, be open to experimentation and scientific research. As elected representatives, we have been cloaked with America's legislative responsibility. With this responsibility we are entrusted to determine the ethical and moral bounds of scientific research and to determine what value America places on human life. I believe our work today must reflect America's belief that all life has value, from the human embryo to those in the twilight of their life. We must not legislate shortcuts for one life over another. Embryonic stem cell research requires the killing of human embryos, which if left to grow would become children. Where do we as a Nation draw the ethical and moral line on scientific research as to when life begins, and at which stage of human life are we willing to sacrifice one life to promote the life of another? The good intentions of the proponents of H.R. 3 do not answer these questions.”