Posted on 6/25/2004, 2:27:42 PM by truthandlife
I'm getting a little tired of the media's insistence on reporting that the Reagan "family" is in favor of stem cell research, when the truth is that two members of the family have been long time foes of this process of manufacturing human beings--my dad, Ronald Reagan during his lifetime, and me.
The media should keep in mind that we are also members of the Reagan "family" and my father, as do I, opposed the creation of human embryos for the sole purpose of using their stem cells as possible medical cures.
Moreover, using the widely promoted and thoroughly discredited junk science argument that stem cell research can lead to a cure of Alzheimer's disease, the media and proponents of stem cell research have suggested that had the research been done a long time ago, my dad might have avoided the ordeal he endured. This is junk science at its worst.
As William Clark, Dad's national security advisor, Interior secretary and one of my dad's closest friends and aides wrote in a recent op-ed piece in the New York Times, my father's "suffering under Alzheimer's disease was tragic, and we should do everything we can that is ethically proper to help others afflicted with it. But I have no doubt that he would have urged our nation to look to adult stem cell research--which has yielded many clinical successes--and away from the destruction of developing human lives, which has yielded none." And he added contemptuously, "Those who would trade on Ronald Reagan's legacy should first consider his own words."
Here's what my father said way back in 1983. "My administration is dedicated to the preservation of America as a free land and there is no cause more important for preserving that freedom than affirming the transcendent right to life of all human beings, the right without which no other rights have any meaning."
To make matters worse, those arguing for embryonic stem cells have embarked on a campaign of disinformation, claiming that there are scientific reasons for believing that their research can be expected to lead to a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
Listen to what Ronald D.G. McKay, a stem cell researcher at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke told the Washington Post: "People need a fairy tale," he said, explaining why scientists have allowed society to believe wrongly that stem cells are likely to effectively treat Alzheimer's disease. He added, "Maybe that's unfair, but they need a story line that's relatively simple to understand."
A story line that is a flat out lie.
Writing in the Weekly Standard, lawyer, ethicist and human life advocate Wesley J. Smith reported that "Researchers have apparently known for some time that embryonic stem cells will not be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's, because as two researchers told a Senate subcommittee in May, it is a 'whole brain disease,' rather than a cellular disorder (such as Parkinson's). This has generally been kept out of the news. But now, Washington Post correspondent Rick Weiss, has blown the lid off of the scam, reporting that while useful abstract information might be gleaned about Alzheimer's through embryonic stem cell research, 'stem cell experts confess . . . that of all the diseases that may be someday cured by embryonic stem cell treatments, Alzheimer's is among the least likely to benefit.'"
But people like Nancy Reagan have been allowed to believe otherwise, "a distortion" Weiss writes that "is not being aggressively corrected by scientists." Why? The false story line helps generate public support for the biotech political agenda. As Weiss noted, "It [Nancy Reagan's statement in support of ESCR] is the kind of advocacy that researchers have craved for years, and none wants to slow its momentum."
Yet, unlike the hyped embryonic stem cell research, adult stem cell research is already paying dividends. According to Michael Fumento, one of the nation's most skilled debunkers of junk science, "Over the horizon are so-called adult stem cells (ASCs), extracted from people of any age and from umbilical cords and placentas. Not only don't they carry the moral baggage of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), but research with them is much further along."
"Unfortunately," Fumento added, "embryonic stem cell researchers have so powerful a PR machine that many influential people don't even know there's an alternative."
Note to the media: Next time you write about the "family" remember both dad and me. It's our family too. Mr. Reagan is the son of Ronald Reagan and a syndicated radio talk-show host.
Important information. May God continue to bless Michael Reagan.
Who the hell cares what Ronald or Michael Reagan thinks. They are only the afflicted and affected family members, who just happen to be republican.</sarcasm off>
Yes! One does 'grasp at any straw' when faced with a major illness..Stem cell research as far as ADULT stem cells are concerned have brought about results that were unheard of a short time ago...Let us continue on this path and avoid the the 'petri dish slaughter'.
I only hope my children honor me the way this man, who was adopted, has honored his father.
I WISH Michael Reagan would run for office.
If for no other reason than the fact that it would probably raise Ron "the Ballerina" s blood pressure.
Amen, on this and many issues.
Dan
Good point. Mike Reagan the adopted son of RR is nice. He was adopted in Reagan's first marriage. Ron Reagan, the president's real son is liberal boob along with sis Patty Davis. She wrote a lot of horrible things about her parents.
Shall we talk about "nature" vs. "nurture"?
The limitation on stem cell research is ONLY on government money being used.
It is NOT on private, biomed research.
Surely, if some entrepreneurs will venture a space flight on their own without government assistance because they see a potential payoff, then certainly a biotech will be all over this stemcell thing.
You got it truthandlife. Michael is the epitome of the the loyal and loving son of Ronald Reagan. All the other two did was humiliate their parents by their actions and book. Now all of a sudden ron wants to be spokesman for the family? The only true spokesperson of the children is Michael. We would be proud to call him son as Ronald Reagan most certainly was. There are a lot of people out there who know who Michael is and how much he loved his father and how much his father loved and no doubt RESPECTED Michael. I think President Reagan and Michael's respect for each other went very deep. No amount of what ron does or says can change things now.
The didn't/don't deserve to have President Reagan as their father. brats.
BUMP!
Agreed. Ronnie didn't honor his father in life so why try to spokes-son for him now. I too wish he'd sit down and STFU.
God bless Michael.
Bump for truth.
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