From Deseret News archives:
Lawmakers are divided on stem cells
"We're all excited," said Larry Soler, vice president of government relations for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, speaking for the national and local organization. "It has been a long time coming."
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has long been a lone conservative in the Senate calling for such a reversal, which upset conservatives who argue that it requires killing existing embryos. Hatch said prayerful consideration led him to believe that the days-old embryos destroyed were not yet living humans.
"Being pro-life means helping the living," Hatch said. "Ethical stem cell research holds tremendous promise in treating diseases such as diabetes, autism, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, among many others. I believe lifting the ban on federally funded embryonic stem cell research is the right thing to do."
John Podesta, co-chairman of Obama's transition team, said Sunday that Obama plans to do exactly that.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, supports lifting the ban. His press secretary, Alyson Heyrend, noted he voted several times to lift the ban, but President Bush vetoed the bills.
Rep. Rob Bishop and Representative-elect Jason Chaffetz, both R-Utah, oppose lifting the ban.
"I worry it (embryonic stem cell research) crosses an ethical line for far too many people. We should not be funding that controversial research with federal taxpayer dollars," Chaffetz said.
Bishop said, "The question is not whether research should take place. It's legal right now to do it. The question is: Should taxpayer money be used to back this questionable research, which requires the destruction of existing human embryos and crosses some real moral lines?
"Not forcing taxpayers to subsidize this problematic research has been the right approach and shouldn't be reversed," he said.
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, was traveling out of the country and was unavailable for comment.
Recent comments
to - to Free Speech,
Well my church has helped make clear what is...
K | Nov. 11, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.
Some thoughts,
If we cared about the children in 3rd world...
K | Nov. 11, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.
To date, no approved medical treatments have been derived from...
Bryan | Nov. 11, 2008 at 7:27 p.m.
- Senate confronts abortion in debate 12:46 p.m.
- 2 bombs kill 34 in Lahore 12:41 p.m.
- U.N. climate conference opens 12:29 p.m.
- Messy Monday morning commute 12:28 p.m.
- Stocks extend gains 12:06 p.m.
- Top 3 stay same in AP Top 25 12:05 p.m.
- Two arrested in pharmacy robbery 12:03 p.m.
- GM to invest $336M in Volt plant 11:54 a.m.
- Church History Museum D&C tours 11:52 a.m.
- QB Clausen says he's turning pro 11:46 a.m.
- BYU professor remembered
- BYU and Utah's bowl games
- Cougars going back to Vegas
- TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
- Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
- Utes excited to go to San Diego
- Bring the true spirit of Christmas
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
268 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
243 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
190 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
186 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
134 - Cougars going back to Vegas
127 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
117 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
98 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
96
Amazon.com, Target.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com and...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Cowards. TCU or Boise State could take on any of the other unbeaten teams and...
There's nothing like stating the obvious!
This is the biggest shame since the extermination of the Jews in World War...
Wake up an smell the coffee Utah fans... Cal got BLOWN OUT in every one of...
. . . scientists say the skeptics' argument is misleading. "It's entirely...
That's why the ESPN, MAACO, and the Las Vegas committe, when they had to...
Springvilles region is weak in basketball but strong in football, provos...
Many scientists agree, however, that hotter times are ahead. A decade of...
"...carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases released from power...
What's the GOP doing here?. The 10 Principles in the Proposed Resolution...


