Today in a 30-minute speech on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) blatantly disregarded the importance of the sanctity of life and called for an increase in embryonic stem-cell research (ESCR).

ESCR requires the destruction of a human embryo in order to create stem-cell lines, which some hope will offer cures to diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s and heart disease. However, ESCR has yet to offer one cure for any disease and continues to cause overgrown tumors that kill lab rats. Sadly, Frist touted this unethical and ineffective research as full of promise to those suffering.

“It is mystery to us how the senator could claim that he believes life begins at conception and then immediately contradict that statement by adding, ‘I also believe embryonic stem-cell research should be encouraged and supported.’ It certainly gives one pause in trusting his commitment to the sanctity of life,” said Lanier Swann, CWA’s director of government relations.

Not only does Frist’s speech fly in the face of President Bush’s policy on ESCR, it brazenly misinforms Congress and the American people on the true promise of cures for disease such as Parkinson’s, heart disease or spinal cord injuries: adult stem-cell research (ASCR).

“Adult stem cells meet certain medical needs,” Frist said on the floor this morning. “But embryonic stem cells -- because of these unique characteristics -- meet other medical needs that simply cannot be met today by adult stem cells.  They especially offer hope for treating a range of diseases that require tissue to regenerate or restore function.”

Frist’s statement is simply untrue. Adult stem-cell research has currently treated 65 diseases including those that require tissue to regenerate and restore function. Additionally, The Washington Post reported this week that adult stem cells from bone marrow can form eggs in ovaries, further proving the wide versatility of adult stem cells and the lack of a need to use embryonic stem cells for experimentation.

Embryonic stem-cell research has yet to offer any treatments or cures, especially for diseases requiring versatility.

“While we respect the senator’s desire to support a science that offers hope to ailing patients, we want to respectfully remind him that that hope already exists through the numerous advancements in adult stem-cell research (ASCR).” Swann commented. “Adult stem-cell research offers the promise of cures, not the mere ‘dream’ Frist spoke of today. A ‘dream’ of cures through ESCR is a nightmare for the unborn.”

Take Action

Please, express your disappointment to Sen. Frist for encouraging Congress to disregard the sanctity of human life by encouraging ESCR. Call Sen. Frist and tell him that by pushing for embryonic stem-cell research, he has called into question his previous pro-life commitment.