FRIST COMMENTS ON STEM CELL RESEARCH - Floor Statement -- Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

Senator Bill Frist website ^ | July 29, 2005 | Sen. Bill Frist

[AFPhys]

I'm going to have to mull this over very carefully.

I clearly recall the debate early in my life about whether heart transplants were "ethical". He makes some good points in this speech.

Also, his noting that only 22, not 78 cell lines are now available is a clear and good argument.

I'm still not finished reviewing this speech and thinking it over, so I'm not going to comment further.

[muawiyah]

So, Frist comes up against his first "moral challenge" and flubs it.

Time for a new Majority Leader.

[little jeremiah]

later read/pingout.

[sonsofliberty2000]

I will withhold judgement only because this is one topic I know absolutely nothing about. I need to read up on it. Any Freepers got some Stem Cell For Dummies links?

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[Dr.Hilarious]

I don't see the problem with using embryos created in the process of fertility treatments which are due to be destroyed anyway. If the argument is that this encourages abortion, this has zero to do with that. This material is going to be created--artificial insemination and other such fertility treatments are here to stay and are not going anywhere, period. So why NOT use them?

Abortion is a completely separate argument and should be kept that way. If the embryos used came from abortions I'm 100% against it. It's like the difference between donated organs and stolen ones, to me.

[lepton]

But I also strongly believe -- as do countless other scientists, clinicians, and doctors -- that embryonic stem cells uniquely hold specific promise for some therapies and potential cures that adult stem cells cannot provide.

Here is a hitherto unsupported foundation for his argument. To date, we have found that we can take adult stem cells and do the things we want to with them. We have not found actual limits. In the case of embryonic stem cells, so far we can't even make them take the first steps. Quite aside from the ethical issues - which are quite important - embryonic stem cell research in more than a very basic fundemental level appears to simply be dumping money down a hole.

[My2Cents]

Indeed, stem cell research presents the first major moral and ethical challenge to biomedical research in the 21st century.

"...and I surrender."

Sen. Bill "The Backbone" Frist strikes again.

[muawiyah]

Like I said earlier, I'd like to see Frist put a clause in there that will allow us to EXTRACT good adult stem cells from promising subjects without their permission.

He looks healthy, and I would imagine he would be the first in line for it.

[lepton]

Also, his noting that only 22, not 78 cell lines are now available is a clear and good argument.

Not so important when we can't even keep them alive and developing. We shold master this basic set of steps before throwing large scale money into it.

[rockrr]

I probably know as little (or as much) as you, but I know that I know enough to recognize that the Federal government has no business underwriting STR.

We can condone it, we can even (passively) endorse it, but pay for it - I think not.

This doesn't stop private industry from doing speculative research, just not paid for by my (and your) taxes.

[weegee]

If applications are found after successful test, where do you think they will source those from for the market demand?

Of course, they could use adult stem cells, placenta, and other sources instead but the focus has been on embryonic stem cells.

[Stellar Dendrite]

"I don't see the problem with using embryos created in the process of fertility treatments which are due to be destroyed anyway."

Apparently you dont have a problem with federal funding for this either, ie more socialism?

Hey...as long as it's proposed by someone with an (R) next to their name it's goooooooood. Baaaa baaaa went the sheeple....

[Stellar Dendrite]

"I probably know as little (or as much) as you, but I know that I know enough to recognize that the Federal government has no business underwriting STR."

Ahh finally a real conservative! Many here get involved in the moral issue of it, which serves as a distraction by these politicians. The REAL issue is whether the government should fund it....IT SHOULD NOT!

Socialism marches on, even under "Republican" leadership. Viva la Marx!!!!

[TheDon]

Right now, to derive embryonic stem cells, an embryo -- which many, including myself, consider nascent human life -- must be destroyed.

FrankFrist has joined the dark side, he is a ghoul.

[TheDon]

That would make an interesting ammendment to the bill.

[Dr.Hilarious]

Apparently you dont have a problem with federal funding for this either, ie more socialism? Hey...as long as it's proposed by someone with an (R) next to their name it's goooooooood. Baaaa baaaa went the sheeple....

Yeah, I'm a socialist who just agrees with whoever has an R next to his name. Of course, most R's are against this, but such an obvious contradiction is invisible to someone with your bizarre logic.

Nice debate on the issues, thanks so much!

[Dr.Hilarious]

If applications are found after successful test, where do you think they will source those from for the market demand? Of course, they could use adult stem cells, placenta, and other sources instead but the focus has been on embryonic stem cells.

The key to my comment, of course, is that these specific cells be used rather than just tossed in the trash. I'm not saying I'm for or against Frist's proposal until I've read it thoroughly and digested it. But thanks for actually adding to the debate unlike those who just like to call names without engaging on a very serious issue. It's so easy to stick one's head in the sand and call names, but these are real issues that are going to have to be grappled with by those of us with brains.

[Pukin Dog]

He makes no good points and he contradicts himself. What he has done, is show himself to be without core values. I am still convinced that he did this because Bush let him, but I believe that only because Bush discovered that Frist has no spine long before the rest of us did.

There is no way to say that an embryo is human life, while agreeing to federally fund its destruction, while calling yourself "pro-life".

I think Bush just pushed him from the train, and we will soon get an announcement from Frist that he will NOT run for President in 2008. He can read polls, and probably already knows he has no chance.

[CAluvdubya]

embryonic stem cell research in more than a very basic fundemental level appears to simply be dumping money down a hole.

Michael Reagan talked about this before the election. he confirmed that embryonic stem cell research was not producing good results. In fact, the research was going badly. For this reason there are little to no private donations or funding for it. This is why the push is on for gov. funding.

[Txsleuth]

I saw him give the speech this morning, I have read it now twice, and I have heard reaction from radio talk show hosts, other Congresscritters..and some freepers here on FR.

The one question that seems to pop up the most is: It this research on ESC is so promising, why isn't the private sector, that would make billions prolly, going after this...which makes the taxpayers, a lot of whom DO NOT agree with this on moral grounds?

The way I read his speech, he is rationalizing using Federal funds only because HE says that the only way we can SURE that this is done ethically (according to HIS rules), would be to have NIH oversight...which wouldn't be the case in priavately funded research....

My problem with THAT is, who said that the NIH is the ones to make ethical decisions? Maybe they will follow a strict guideline, but maybe not....there is corruption everywhere, and what if on moral, religious or whatever grounds, Americans DO NOT want their tax dollars going to "killing" unborn babies..?

I just don't think that this is where the Fed. Govt. should get involved...