Michael J Fox speaks......

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Michael J Fox speaks......
10
Mon, 10-04-2004 - 11:24pm
Here's the orginial link: http://blog.johnkerry.com/rapidresponse/archives/003059.html#more

GEORGE W. BUSH: STOP DENYING REALITY OF STEM CELL POLICY

Today, Michael J. Fox stood up and courageously spoke up that “George Bush’s decision has dramatically reduced the chances for finding a cure for Alzheimers, for Parkinsons, for various kinds of cancers…for so many terrible diseases.” Yet the Bush Administration continues to deny that there is any issue with their policy. As Fox said: “he so restricted the stem cell lines available to us that it was kind of like he gave us a car and no gas and he congratulated himself on giving us the car and we sat there and we sit there still”

The fact is that George W. Bush has put his ideological agenda ahead of the interests of the American people by placing a ban on embryonic stem cell research. His ban has prevented the use of 99.999 percent of potential stem cells from being used, standing in the way of possible cures and therapies. This research is supported by a broad coalition, including Orrin Hatch, John McCain and Nancy and Ron Reagan. It is time to put politics aside and allow our researchers to do their crucial work.

George Bush Has Placed a Ban on 99.99 Percent Federal Funding of Stem Cell Research. The Bush administration absolutely banned Federal research on new embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001. That is a ban on more than 99.999 percent of all stem cells that could be available for research.

George Bush Stands in the Way of Important Stem Cell Research. George Bush’s August 2001 stem cell policy allegedly made available more than 60 suitable stem cell lines to federally funded researchers. However, this claim has proven to be false. Many of the cells have turned out not to be genuine stem cell lines or turned out to have no scientific value. As of today, there are only 19 lines available – less than a third of the number originally promised.

Stem Cell Research Has Broad Bipartisan Support. In June, 58 Senators, including John Kerry and John Edwards, sent George Bush a letter urging him to lift the ideologically-driven restrictions on stem cell research. Fourteen Republicans joined Democrats in sending Bush a loud and clear message, including Orrin Hatch, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and John McCain.

Nancy Reagan Calls for Further Stem Cell Research. Nancy Reagan called for expanding embryonic stem cell research. Reagan said, “Science has presented us with a hope called stem cell research, which may provide our scientists with many answers that for so long have been beyond our grasp. I just don't see how we can turn our backs on this…We have lost so much time already. I just really can't bear to lose any more.”

Stem Cell Research has the Potential to Save Lives and Cure Disease. Embryonic stem cell research has great potential to save lives and cure disease. Today, more than 100 million American children and adults suffer from incurable diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer, and spinal cord injuries.

Stem Cell Research Will Expand Knowledge. Studying stem cells will help us to understand how they transform into the dazzling array of specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to problems that occur somewhere in this process. A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to understand and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions.

The Current System Is Not Sufficiently Funded. In addition, private companies will be able to own the products of their research and may not share it as quickly as NIH scientists. So under the current policy, we will see very little research, and the products of the research will be less useful to the public.

Posted on October 4, 2004 at 01:04 PM

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2004
Mon, 10-04-2004 - 11:53pm


Actually that is factually inaccurate. Bush did not place a ban on stem cell research, he limited federal funding to the lines currently available. Privately funded research is free to continue and is ongoing.

So far stem cell research has not lived up to its promise-all the president has done is to suggest that before the federal government starts funding the creation and destruction of human embryos for research, we at a minimum confirm that's there's even any point to it. I completely support that position, as do many other Americans. The line that is thrown around by many on the left is typically misleading-there IS no ban on stem cell research.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2003
Tue, 10-05-2004 - 12:03am
Exactly.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Tue, 10-05-2004 - 12:04am
Hey saw the MJF speech, what a passionate speech!!! made me want to become a scientest, to help find a cure. I hope that stem cell research is allowed to go on, so diabetic's can have some good news for a change. Also so many other people will benefit from the research, of course if you listen to the white house, they will tell you that stem cell rech, is not going to help these people. Ron Regan seems to think that it is a good thing and would have helped his dad, thats why he supports Kerry, and he is a REP? Wonder why so many scienties say that it will help sick people? but the WH says it's all a bunch of hooey? thanks!!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2004
Tue, 10-05-2004 - 3:34am
from original message



As the original message states, the private companies will be able to own the products of their own research. It's just another way for them to get richer. The wealthy people in this country have Bush rapped around their fingers. I wonder how much money the people behind these private companies have donated to him. Cutting off funding to scientific research that would be shared with all, but allowing private companies with lots of money already to continue their research so they can own the products as a result does not sound like many people will benefit from the outcome, only the ones wealthy enough to afford it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
Tue, 10-05-2004 - 10:15am
Ah, what a typical liberal response..

Emotional.

Noone is positive that stem cell research will cure these diseases.

Before we open the floodgates in this area, we have to consider where this could lead...Stem cell come from embryonic tissue. Recent cloning efforts are proving successful...Are we going to start "farming" babies for this tissue? Because if you believe that life begins at conception (as do most Americans) this would be out of the question.

Stem cell research has not been banned and as of now there is enough stem cell material to work with for years.

More proof that Bush's values carry throughout all decisions he makes.

P.S. Ron Reagan is not a Republican. He was also a speaker at the Democratic convention.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Tue, 10-05-2004 - 7:25pm
Stem cell resc. can also be done by donated cords for healthy trem babies, the mother can donate them for the research, do you find that wrong? please don't judge me and call me a liberal unless you know me! okay?How would you like to be called a right wing nut job? not too nice is it?and why do you REP try to make the word liberial such a dirty word? I find liberals to liberating, well mannered, very educated,wanting to improve our world through science, and love our enviroment. I don't find any of those things offensive.So why do you? Oh and what is wrong with emotions? Or being emotional about a good speech? maybe it would be good to feel some emotion besides hate for the liberials of this world?Because I don't think they hate you, that would be a waste of good emotion.

P.S. Ron did state on Joe Schrabrough that he at one time was a REP, and yes I saw him at the convention.

P.S. those where honest questions no offense was ment.


Edited 10/5/2004 8:59 pm ET ET by gigywithit
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2004
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 1:04am


Cord blood research is not the same as embryonic stem cell research, which is done on fertilized eggs, days old human embryos.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2004
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 1:14am


Are you seriously arguing that Bush's opposition to stem cell research is really part of some master plan so that only rich people can be cured of diseases? I can't imagine anyone truly believes he's THAT evil. No, his opposition to federal funding of stem cell research on new cell lines is that it involves creating living human embryos for the sole purpose of destroying them for research. Many Americans oppose this-even though stem cell research is favored by most Americans, a majority also agree witht he president on limiting it to existing lines.

These companies are going to do this research whether there is federal funding or not, so it's not as if the government would own the product unless they came up with something first. In any case, what's wrong with private companies owning the products of research that they have invested time and money into?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2004
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 1:49am

There is a long history of public funding in medical and scientific research, most specifically from the federal government…the US Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In fact, it is estimated that NIH provides roughly 1 in 3 basic biomedical research dollars in the US, including cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS. In addition, historically, society has decided that the surest way to foster scientific advancement is to fund meritorious research projects across disciplines and without regard to it immediate therapeutic benefits, which short-term investment driven companies often focus upon.> (source www.yeson71.com)

Bush has a history of doing things that benefit the rich, and doesn't care much about the consequences. I don't think he's evil, just greedy. Why else would he have made some of the choices that he's made. The things he has done to our economy by outsourcing jobs and tax breaks for the rich, etc, if it's not for money, then yes I would say he is just plain evil.

Privately funded companies are profit driven. This could lead to costly mistakes and high priced cures. If stem cell research is going to be done anyway, than why not let those most qualified do it.


Proposition 71 specifically supports all types of stem cell research, including adult, cord blood and embryonic stem cell research. It gives priority to research that is not receiving adequate or timely funding from the federal government, particularly embryonic stem cell research. That’s because there is a clear funding gap in that area of research and because scientists believe embryonic stem cells have the greatest potential to provide cures for some of the most debilitating diseases and injuries. However, all forms of stem cell research will be eligible to receive Prop 71 grants.> (same source as above)


The research supported by Proposition 71 could significantly reduce our skyrocketing health care costs. California has the highest total health care spending costs in the nation over $110 billion per year. Diseases and injuries that could be cured with stem cell therapies cause a huge share of these costs. By leading to cures that reduce health care costs by just one percent, Proposition 71 could pay for itself within a few years. And, the potential savings could be far greater possibly reducing our costs by tens of billions of dollars in the decades ahead.> (same source as above)

Truth be told, I think it's great that they may be able to find cures for lots of diseases, but I'm not sure I agree with embryo cells being used. However, if it's going to be done either way, I say let the scientists do it, not profit driven companies.

Avatar for schifferle
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 8:57am
There are alternatives to using embryonic stem cells:

http://www.stemcellresearch.org/stemcellreport/

My father had Parkinson's and my mother has Alzheimer's. Bush is not a threat to helping people with these diseases and others find a cure.

---Sandy