Last week, ScienceDebate2008.com asked both presidential candidates the following question: "Stem cell research advocates say it may successfully lead to treatments for many chronic diseases and injuries, saving lives, but opponents argue that using embryos as a source for stem cells destroys human life. What is your position on government regulation and funding of stem cell research?"
The responses from both, taken from an article at LifeSiteNews.com, are similar, with more qualification on McCain's part.
First Obama's answer (bold mine): "I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations," he said. As president, Obama guaranteed he would ensure all research on stem cells is conducted "ethically and with rigorous oversight."
Addressing the objection that ESC research requires harvesting cells from and destroying innocent human life, Sen. Obama explained that "hundreds of thousands of embryos stored in the U.S. in in-vitro fertilization clinics will not be used for reproductive purposes, and will eventually be destroyed. I believe that it is ethical to use these extra embryos for research that could save lives when they are freely donated for that express purpose."
Obama also said he disagreed with the mounting evidence that indicates stem cells from alternate sources continue to show more promise than embryonic stem cells. He argued that embryonic stem cells still have more "versatility" and remain the "gold standard."
Couple things here - conducting research on embryonic stem cells 'ethically' is an oxymoron. To say that it's ethical to use the 'extra embryos' for research if they're freely donated is a lie - the fact is, the parents of those embryos are sacrificing their children no differently than if I was to hand over my ten year old son to a hospital for organ harvesting. These embryos are not free to donate themselves - they would be taken advantage of because they are not given any choice. They're being classified as property, stripped of the dignity of being called human. Finally, for a guy who claimed that the question of when human life begins is above his pay grade, he seems rather sure that evidence of how alternate sources of stem cells have been proven to affect cures and treat illnesses is somehow debatable. I guess he's just smarter on some scientific issues than on others.
Now McCain's (again, bold mine): "While I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, I believe clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress.
"Moreover, I believe that recent scientific breakthroughs raise the hope that one day this debate will be rendered academic," he continued, citing other stem cell research that does not require the destruction of embryos.
"I oppose the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes and I voted to ban the practice of 'fetal farming,' making it a federal crime for researchers to use cells or fetal tissue from an embryo created for research purposes."
So McCain still supports limited ESCR, which violates one of the 'non-negotiable' issues for Catholics. However, he makes distinctions in his statements, such as recognizing that research in alternate sources of stem cells will (hopefully) make ESCR moot. On top of that, he does have a voting record that opposes specific aspects of the issue at hand. But there's still the strange disconnect similar to Obama - ensuring 'ethical' principles in the destruction of embryos. I recall a statement I've heard Fr Pavone make on many occasions: "You can't practice vice virtuously."
I have hopes that McCain will change in this all-important life issue. Selecting Palin as his VP is one reason. And the following statement in the article gives reason for hope also: At the recent Catholic Leadership Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Jack Willke, former head of National Right to Life, revealed he has had two very recent meetings with McCain during which he presented much information on the subject to the Republican presidential candidate.
McCain isn't perfect in this issue - but he has demonstrated he is willing to listen to the pro-life argument, and there's hope he may shed his support for limited ESCR. Combining all the non-negotiable issues, he still remains for me the better of the two candidates.
Oh, and Senator Obama? About the "mounting evidence" you disagree with? Here's a new article on another advancement you may want to sink your teeth into, also from LifeSiteNews.com: Adult Stem Cells From Teeth Could Heal Stroke Damaged Brains.
Instant "Acts"ess
