Jim Ramstad: “critics of embryonic cell stem research maintain it is wrong to promote science which destroys life in order to save…”

“critics of embryonic cell stem research maintain it is wrong to promote science which destroys life in order to save life. As the leading prolife legislator in Washington, Senator Orrin Hatch put it, ``Since when does life begin in a petri dish in a refrigerator?'' To reduce this issue to an abortion issue is a horrible insult to 100 million Americans suffering the ravages of diabetes, spinal cord paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig's disease. I have met with medical researchers from the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins University. As one prominent researcher told me, ``The real irony of the President's policy is that at least 100,000 surplus frozen embryos could be used to produce stem cells for research to save lives. Instead, these surplus embryos are being thrown into the garbage and treated as medical waste.'' Only 22 of the 78 stem cell lines approved by the President in 2001 remain today. This limit on research has stunted progress on finding cures for a number of debilitating and fatal diseases, according to scientists and patient advocacy groups across America. Mr. Speaker, the scientific evidence is overwhelming that embryonic stem cells have great potential to regenerate specific types of human tissues, offering hope for millions of Americans suffering from debilitating, fatal and cruel diseases. Mr.…”