[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005

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                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                  in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of weeks, I have heard 
from all sides of this very impassioned debate regarding the issue of 
stem cell research. There are many arguments on both sides which 
resonate with compassionate people, and I have taken a great deal of 
time and reflection to reach my current position in favor of stem cell 
research as provided under H.R. 810.
  As a Member of Congress, I have been a very consistent supporter of 
the value of human life in all of its stages. I have had personal 
experiences with diseases that hold the greatest hope of being treated 
with the help of research on stem cells including diabetes and 
Parkinson's disease, and I believe that our respect for human life 
should compel us to strive to treat diseases which are currently 
untreatable.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is important to closely consider what 
is in this bill and what is not in this bill. This bill would allow 
researchers to apply for federal grant money to perform research on 
tissue which would otherwise be discarded as medical waste. I have 
heard some of my colleagues say that they are against the creation of 
embryos for the purpose of scientific research, and I agree. This bill 
would not allow research on any lines of stem cells unless they had 
been created for reproductive purposes and if the people involved grant 
their consent. I do not believe that this bill would encourage the 
creation of more embryos because the bill would not allow funding to be 
used if the donating parties had received any compensation for the 
donation of tissue for research.
  It is important that we recognize that stem cell research is a 
reality in our time, and what is uncertain are the parameters through 
which it will be pursued. I would prefer that this type of research is 
done at home rather than abroad where it can be pursued with the 
oversight of the United States Congress and where we can be certain of 
the moral restraint of American values.
  When the President issued his guidelines for acceptable research on 
stem cells in August 2001, he acknowledged that federal funding could 
be appropriate, provided that it was done so in a moral way. In his 
judgment, a moral way included research with the informed consent of 
the donors involving excess embryos created solely for reproductive 
purposes; and that it was done without any financial inducements to the 
donors.
  I believe that H.R. 810 respects human life in the way that we should 
by allowing scientists to use human tissue which would otherwise be 
discarded as medical waste, and I urge my colleagues to support its 
passage.

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