Arlen Specter: “I strongly support legislation introduced earlier today which would permit Federal funding to be used for embryonic stem…”

“I strongly support legislation introduced earlier today which would permit Federal funding to be used for embryonic stem cell research. That is a subject which has been at the top of my agenda since November of 1998 when stem cells were first exposed. Within 10 days, in December 1998, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services and Education held the first hearing to explore the potential of embryonic stem cell research. In the intervening years the subcommittee has held some 19 hearings exploring this issue in some great detail. The Specter-Harkin bill was passed last year, vetoed by the President, and the bill is back before the Congress this year where it may be possible to override a Presidential veto. That depends upon how much public support there is--really, how much public clamor there is-- for this legislation to be enacted. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to replace diseased cells. They are a veritable fountain of youth. They have enormous potential in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, and almost all of the known maladies. I don't know of any malady where they are not a potential for a cure because the cells in a person's body become diseased, and if the embryonic stem cell can replace the diseased cell, there is a potential for a cure. There is opposition to this legislation on the ground that it would destroy life.”