[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                           HON. STEVAN PEARCE

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2007

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, let me be clear: I fully support stem cell 
research and its potential to solve many of the world's most complex 
medical mysteries.
  Many scientists have concluded that certain types of stem cells, 
called pluripotent stem cells, may one day be used to develop 
treatments for debilitating diseases.
  Some of these types include cells derived from adult stem cells, 
umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid and finally, human embryos.
  Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research began in 2001 when 
President Bush announced a policy that allowed researchers to destroy 
and conduct research on stem cell lines that had come from human 
embryos already destroyed prior to August 9, 2001.
  This policy did not encourage or offer incentives from the government 
to destroy human life for research.
  Yet the newly elected Democratic majority chose to bring a bill to 
the House floor today that forces taxpayers to encourage and fund the 
destruction of human life for embryonic stem cell research.
  This legislation also has no protections to ensure human embryos can 
not be cloned by researchers who receive this funding and access to 
destroyed human embryos.
  It is disheartening that the Democratic leadership wants to force all 
taxpayers to fund the destruction of human embryos for research, 
regardless of any moral and ethical concerns they may hold.
  Stem cell research is currently legal in the United States. In fact, 
nothing in any past federal legislation or policy would ban privately 
funded embryonic stem cell research.
  Yet private investors are reluctant to fund embryonic stem cell 
research that destroys human life and many have chosen to look for 
alternatives that offer better results.
  In this world, we are measured by our treatment of the most delicate 
and weak among us. And in the world of science, there are lines that 
must be drawn when the destruction of innocent human life is at stake.

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