James A. Leach: “we do not know yet, but the possibility is very real that stem cell research may be the greatest breakthrough in the…”

“we do not know yet, but the possibility is very real that stem cell research may be the greatest breakthrough in the history of science. There are deep and profound moral and philosophic issues surrounding the research, but our government should be very cautious about coming down on the wrong side of science, especially when the scientific endeavor is designed to lengthen and ennoble life. It has been suggested here today that no breakthrough therapies have yet been developed with stem cell research. This is simply not the case. Using, for example, the microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells, Dr. Mary Hendricks and her team of researchers at Chicago's Memorial Research Center have developed a methodology to slow the aggressive properties of metastatic cancer cells. How in heaven's name can we deny the promise of such research? There is consensus at this time in this body and in the research community that scientists should not play God in attempting to clone human beings, but we are at a stage of human existence where there is a practical possibility that a blastocyst that would otherwise be thrown away as waste can, in a petri dish, be used to help solve these incredible diseases, from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's to diabetes to cancer. If one believes that life matters, the balance of judgment should be to carefully open the door, as this bill, led so beautifully by my good friends the gentleman from Delaware (Mr.…”