Stem Cell Showdown: The Facts Have Changed, President Bush Has Not
Stem Cell Showdown: The Facts Have Changed, President Bush Has Not
President Bush is blocking stem cell research that “could lead to treatments that save millions of lives and improve the quality-of-life for millions more.” In 2001, Bush said of the research: “I laid out the policy I think is right for America. And I’m not going to change my mind.” Indeed, while the facts have changed, Bush’s mind has not.
Today Bush released a statement explaining why he will veto H.R. 810 — the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act — which the Senate will vote on tomorrow. ThinkProgress debunks Bush’s spin:
FACT: GOV’T STEM CELL LINES UNUSABLE: Bush originally justified his position by claiming there were “more than 60” stem cell lines for researchers to work with; now we know that “many if not all of the…lines are now contaminated and unusable” because they were developed using mouse cells.
FACT: PROPOSED ETHICS GUIDELINES STRICTER THAN BUSH’S: The White House statement says that H.R. 810 “advances the proposition that the Nation must choose between science and ethics.” But H.R. 810 actually advances ethical guidelines on stem cell research “tighter than those under the President’s policy, specifically when it comes to requiring the individuals seeking fertility treatment to provide written informed consent when donating their surplus embryos.”
FACT: NO ‘LIFE OR DEATH’ DECISION INVOLVED: Today’s statement claims H.R. 810 “would use Federal taxpayer dollars to support and encourage the destruction of human life for research.” This is wrong on two counts. One, there is already a federal ban on funding for the destruction of human embryos, and H.R. 810 maintains this ban. Two, the embryos funded by H.R. 810 were “created for the purposes of in vitro fertilization…which are spare or in excess of clinical need and in every single case are slated for medical waste.” In other words, the “life or death” decision has already been made — “the donors have decided to discard these embryos and they will be discarded.”
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When you think about how many lives could be saved, it really makes you feel sick. Millions of dead Americans so Bush can pander to his base.
July 17th, 2006 at 6:51 pmWhat is it going to take before this idiot of a president to gain a sense of decency and compassion?
July 17th, 2006 at 6:54 pmSen. Feinstein had some great remarks today about how Bush’s policy is hurting U.S. scientists:
July 17th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Nothing’s changed about this Bush. From a Guardian article published in 2004:
Around the same time, for the 1972 Christmas holiday, the Allisons met up with the Bushes on vacation in Hobe Sound, Fla. Tension was still evident between Bush and his parents. Linda was a passenger in a car driven by Barbara Bush as they headed to lunch at the local beach club. Bush, who was 26 years old, got on a bicycle and rode in front of the car in a slow, serpentine manner, forcing his mother to crawl along. “He rode so slowly that he kept having to put his foot down to get his balance, and he kept in a weaving pattern so we couldn’t get past,” Allison recalled. “He was obviously furious with his mother about something, and she was furious at him, too.”
Bush’s on his bicycle, weaving back and forth in front of stem cell research.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:03 pmThere was a great question on Al Franken today. “If a building were burning down and one side there were 20,000 blastocytes and on the other a baby…Which do you save?”
July 17th, 2006 at 7:05 pmAnd our stature amoung the worlds leading researchers and developers once again takes a hit from the religios right who don’t believe in science.
I think that the world needs to create a place on Earth that all of the non-science based mythology believers should go to live. We could call it Backwards Land. That way the rest of can move forward as a society while they all just stay where they are.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:05 pmDid the baby start the fire?
July 17th, 2006 at 7:06 pmI don’t this is pandering on President Bush’s part.
Fully 70% of the country supports federally funded stem-cell research.
I honestly believe the president’s position is staked out from an honest, deeply held belief. While I don’t agree, and support federal funding for research, it’s not accurate to characterize this as pandering.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:07 pm- Spudge_Boy:
Agreed. Given our infantile grasp of reality, how can the rest of the world take us seriously?
O, wait….that’s right…we’re the most heavily armed nation on the planet, and we’ve demonstrated time and again that we’ll use that power as irresponsibly as possible. The U.S is like a six-year old with an Uzi…best not to take that lightly…
July 17th, 2006 at 7:10 pmWeren’t the Bush girls “in vitro” girls?
July 17th, 2006 at 7:16 pmWhat happened to those left over embryos?
Chase:
Exactly which belief is that? The sanctity of life? His role in the ongoing horror show in Iraq would seem to belie that assumption, as well as his history with the death penalty in his native Texas.
Even if his stance on this subject stems from an honest, fervent belief, that doesn’t excuse the fact that his stance is costing people their lives….not ‘potential people’, either, but actual people.
One more thing…this belief may be genuine, and it may not, but you can pander to a viewpoint whether you believe in it or not.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:17 pmIt’s much more moral to flush a few cells down the toilet than to do research on them that may lead to medical advances that improve the lives of millions. Bush is on the wrong side of this issue as he has been on most. This is what the country gets for voting for macho over intellect.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:20 pmChase,
Put the glass of koolaid down now.
What the hell do you mean this is not pandering. When you’ve got nothing going for you, you pander. Bush (well actually Rove) knows the weakness of his supporters are their beliefs, so he will use them as he has again, and again to get their support.
The other supporters of his are just rich, stupid or both, where does that put you Chase?
As history has proven again, and again, sometimes those “beliefs” need to change with the times. Slavery, working sundays = death, and on and on and on.
I’ll also note the presidents job is to follow the desires the people, not the other way around, get it? Despite his beliefs, he should not veto this, because it’s what the American people want.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:22 pmCkerst:
Don’t beat yourself up…the level of election fraud in 2000 and 2004 was unprecedented.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:22 pmthis is your brain…
this is your brain on religion.
apparently science is just a front for the evil, elitist, godless, baby-killing liberal agenda…
July 17th, 2006 at 7:25 pmDespite his beliefs, he should not veto this, because it’s what the American people want.
Comment by DenverDem — July 17, 2006 @ 7:22 pm
Exactly!!! We vote people to office to exercise our will, not to substitute theirs. Whatever happend to listening to the will of the people?
July 17th, 2006 at 7:25 pmand hello DenverDem :)
July 17th, 2006 at 7:26 pmAgain I ask:
July 17th, 2006 at 7:43 pmIsn’t Bush being a hypocrite on this very subject?
Disgusting.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:53 pmEveryone who argues against using these stemcells and yet has no problem with fertility clinics is a hypocrite.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:54 pm[...] As Think Progress illustrates, “while the facts have changed, Bush’s mind has not.” [...]
July 17th, 2006 at 7:55 pmEverything bush does is calculated. Most often by Rove. Stem cell research threatens one of their staunches supporters, Big Pharma. He is pandering. These men have one and only one guiding principle, “How can I enrich myself and my supporters.” They are not what they say they are. You have to watch their actions, ignore their words. Just my feelings (fact jack).
July 17th, 2006 at 7:58 pmThe issue comes down to values. Arguing that 70% of the population support a policy does not work because if it is a question of values then individual rights must take priority. If 70% of the population voted to bring back slavery it would not be right.
This refusal by Bush to sign the bill clearly shows his values (or at least the values he is prepared to publically support so he can keep the money coming from the Born-again Talaban in this country). Bush values 100 cell “people” over real people. Bush is basically saying that he does not care about future suffering of people, but cares more about his 100 cell “people”.
However, his actions to propose and support laws to make “killing” these 100 cell “people” is less than concrete. Are there laws that make disposing of excess 100 cell “people” a criminal act?
Either Bush really believes his values (in which case we have a lunatic in charge of this country) or he is cynical enough to pretend to believe in order to keep the support of the Born-again Talaban group (in which case we have an unethical crook running the country).
What a choice.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:05 pm#8 Haven’t you seen the trend by Boy George on issues like these? He vows to veto this to pander to his wacky religious fanatics. (Flash to the Senate floor). Wow, the bill passed 70-30. Bush: I did my best but there is no point to vetoing since the votes are there to override. The smirky little bastard placates the nuts and doesn’t have to take a stand against a widely popular position.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:07 pmStem cells research should be allowed, but to prevent black market and “sale” of embryos there should be a criminal code which states that selling embreyos or creating them for the purpose of sale, or in any way profiting from the embryos “donation” should be punishible by death or life sentences (as each states law would permit)
Because while i agree there are way to many positives in this research, the fact that people will eventually SELL THE LIFE OF THEIR UNBORN CHILD sickens me beyond anything else.
And if you disagree with me, think about it. You were never born, none of the things you have accomplished happened, you never went to the prom, you never had your true love, your job, ANYTHING. ITS ALL GONE. YOU DO NOT EXIST.
July 17th, 2006 at 9:19 pmAnd for what? so some rich old man can live another few years? (im talking about the sale, which, yes, would mostly result in rich old/infirm people getting them for life extension etc)
I believe this issue really does not focus on stem cell research but the issue of abortion. There are plenty of other sources of viable stem cells besides embromic cellls. Actually, those stem cells from umbillical cords haved actually proved to be better for research. If private companies want to use embromic cells in their research why don’t they? No one is stopping them. They already know what I know. I just don’t want my tax dollars funding the killing of embreos. No, the real issue here folks is with concept of when life begins. I believe it begins at conception and if any of you believed that as well you would understand that you are destroying life when you do this research. I guess I’ll never understand why liberals are so fast to approve of abortions yet when our soldiers are killed in the line of duty spreading freedom and democracy around the world respond with protests.
July 17th, 2006 at 9:27 pm#Opie, I have not thought about that but I don’t see a law as being necessary considering the stem cells come from either aborted fetuses or (the majority) coming from fertility clinics. I think you have been paid to bring up an issue that does not exist. Oh, and by the way, those who were never born don’t really give a shit.
July 17th, 2006 at 9:27 pmRandy has a problem funding stem cell research with his tax money – but no problem
funding this http://users.fmg.uva.nl/rsetoe/history/war_pictures/13_iran_iraq_war.jpg
warning for the squeemish – mostly those who see a difference between an actual
July 17th, 2006 at 9:55 pmhuman and a glob of “potential”
i received an email fro MegaVote… below is part of it:
Upcoming Votes
Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006 – S.3504
During a week of debate on several stem cell bills, the Senate will consider this bill that would prohibit the practice of deliberately initiating a human pregnancy to obtain fetal cells or tissues.
Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act – S.2754
This bill would promote research into stem cells that are not derived from fetuses.
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act – H.R.810
July 17th, 2006 at 10:15 pmThe Senate is scheduled to take up this House bill that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to support and promote research on human embryonic stem cells.
I haven’t supported impeachment of Bush, as the next guy in line is “lethal”. If Bush vetos the Stem Cell Bill, I say we impeach immediately. He is worthless to anyone. This could be the only contribution he makes during the 8 miserable years he’s been president, and he’s such a failure, he’ll blow this one too! This is the most incompetent, irresponsible and reprehensible administration of all time. It’s a complete debacle!
July 17th, 2006 at 10:39 pm#10, trueblue
July 17th, 2006 at 10:54 pmI can’t find proof that the Bush twins are products of in vitro. Do you know?
What a story that would make if it could be proven!
- Mad as hell:
If we impeach Bush, we impeach the whole lot. Clean house.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:58 pmRandy, I don’t want my tax dollars funding the killing of innocent civilians in this illegal war. So is this a stand off?
July 17th, 2006 at 10:59 pmWe all have things we don’t approve being funded with our tax dollars.
Not funding embryonic stem cell research is a false argument, considering that the opposers of the research don’t have qualms about sending perfectly healthy living beings to die in an unwarranted and immoral war as opposed to research on pre-human life cells being used to help fully developed, yet afflicted, live human beings.
I agree with you totally Marie. I also take umbrage with Randy’s “I believe….”
July 17th, 2006 at 11:53 pmHe is free to believe what he wants – the problem is he and those of his ilk (fundamentalist of
all stripes) have no problem trying to shove it down our throats. If you do not believe in the promise of stem cell research, then when an actual cure comes along – like diabetes – then Randy just step aside. THAT is how you honer YOUR beliefs without stepping on mine.
I’m so pissed off right now I forgot to add the part about the destruction of human life in Iraq of which a great many are Americans. What about the destruction of human life elsewhere in the middle east right now. Arrogant, out-of-touch, sactimonious boob and only half a man.
July 18th, 2006 at 12:15 amIn an interview with the Denver Post editorial board, Karl Rove signaled that President Bush would use the first veto of his presidency to block Congressional stem cell legislation. For Democrats, that veto threat could be just what the doctor ordered.
In a nutshell, Bush’s 2006 base-baiting, red meat strategy could well backfire when it comes to stem cell research.
For the details, see:
July 18th, 2006 at 12:24 am“Bush Stem Cell Veto Threat is Dems’ Opportunity”
Today Bush released a statement explaining why he will veto H.R. 810
Why does the media even repeat this obvious lie. Bush has threatened to veto many times and never has.
I wager he won’t veto it.
July 18th, 2006 at 1:01 amEmbryos are not beings. The have no hearts, no brains, no feelings, no thougths, no emotions. On the other hand, cows and pigs, raised for food under cruel conditions and then slaughtered, are unquestionably sentient beings with all these qualities.
Mind you, I’m not a vegetarian, but we all need to keep the so-called ethical dilema of embryo destruction in perspective. I don’t see how anyone could rationally argue that destroying an embryo presents as much of an ethical challenge of eating a piece of bacon or a hamburger.
July 18th, 2006 at 1:37 pmEvery person on this forum is a blind fool, and I can’t believe the lack of intelligence displayed here, based and lead by fools like Al Franken; fools in your folly, stay where you all are; the blind know well how to lead the blind!
November 25th, 2006 at 9:21 pmthere is no published scientific effidence that i single person would or could be saved via stem cell research it is all just hypothetic, oh and by the way you can extract stem cells from a living being so why all the push to use aborted (murdered) babies. hmmm makes you wonder the real objective
February 5th, 2007 at 4:55 pmGunny Mills, your reasoning is terribly wrong. It is hypothetical because the upper officials will not allow stem cell research to become a reality therefore it is going to be hypothetical…And yes you can extract stem cells from living beings, but those cells are not as poten and adaptable as the cells from the embryos- younger cells can reproduce faster etc etc..
February 13th, 2007 at 2:32 pmpotnent’
and embryos have the “potential” to become living beings. Something to ponder on…
February 13th, 2007 at 2:33 pm