Hatch defends stem cell research as Senate debates

WASHINGTON — Expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is "promoting life," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, argued Tuesday as senators began a second day of debate on three stem cell bills.

Hatch is among a group of prominent Republicans — including former first lady Nancy Reagan — who have vocally supported the controversial research. Many scientists believe embryonic stem cell research could lead to cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer and Parkinson's.

But the research destroys the embryo, considered life by some opponents to such research. President Bush in 2001 restricted government funding of the research and has vowed to veto a bill that would expand it.

Hatch, who opposes abortion, said stem cell research is too promising to delay further.

"I do not question that an embryo is a living cell," Hatch said in a speech on the Senate floor. "But I do not believe that a frozen embryo in a fertility clinic freezer constitutes human life. And I believe that being pro-life involves helping the living."

The Senate is considering three bills. But only one, H.R. 810, which passed the House more than a year ago, would allow federal funds to be used in research on embryos derived from fertility treatments that would otherwise be discarded.

Bush is expected to sign the other two, which encourage study on stem cells derived from sources other than embryos and which would ban so-called fetal farming, the possibility of developing fetuses, then aborting them for scientific research.

"Few, if any, issues have created the genuine sense of excitement among the scientific community as have the current opportunities in stem cell research," Hatch said. "However, unless H.R. 810 becomes law and the number of stem cells lines eligible for federal funding is expanded, this promising research could die on the vine."

Hatch told the story of Cody Anderson, whose grandfather died of diabetes after a series of painful amputations. Cody's family, who used to live in West Jordan, Utah, visited Hatch's office in 2001 and helped persuade him to promote research that could lead to a cure.

"In a few hours, we can pass a bill that can only help Cody and thousands of others suffering from diabetes and millions of others who suffer from other diseases and conditions," Hatch said.

Stem cell research will be expensive, and it will take potentially decades before it leads to treatments for patients, Hatch acknowledged.

"In my view, it would be a tragic and nearly incalculable mistake for our country to continue our present policy that materially constricts the cadre of investigators leading over 46,000 ongoing university based, NIH research grants from pushing the envelope of stem cell research," Hatch said.

"To cede our leadership in such a promising field of endeavor of biomedical research as stem cell research can only be shortsighted in the long run," he said. "I hope we never reach the day when the best biomedical researchers trained in America must go elsewhere to conduct the most cutting-edge basic biomedical research."