Majority Leader William Frist's (R-Tennessee) today went public with his support of embryonic stem-cell research (ESCR). His public statement included a reaffirmation of his "pro-life" stance.
"I believe human life begins at conception... the human embryo has moral significance and moral worth. It deserves to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect," Frist stated.
The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity today responded to Frist beginning with a statement by John Kilner, the organization's president,
"Senator Frist soundly affirms that embryos are human life warranting the 'utmost dignity and respect.' But then he maintains that it is okay to kill them if other people can benefit. The implication is that human beings can be killed if others can benefit. The danger here is glaring!"
"It's simply not consistent with the life affirming ethic to use the weakest members of our human family for purposes of research," said C. Ben Mitchell, CBHD senior fellow. "It is never acceptable for the government to kill unwanted children. Abandonment is not a warrant for embryo-destructive research."
Nigel Cameron, senior fellow at CBHD added,
“Senator Frist's statement that embryonic stem cells can meet medical needs that cannot be met by adult stem cells is wishful thinking. To date, more than 60 ailments in human patients have benefited from adult stem cell treatments. Anything said about the benefits of embryonic stem cells is merely speculation."
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