Topics in the News: Stem Cells
Mike Bloomberg on Abortion
: Apr 1, 2013
Government should support embryonic stem cell research
On Stem Cell Research: "Despite the potential to lead us to new cures, the federal government has restricted funding for creating new cell lines--putting the burden of any future research squarely on the shoulders of the private sector. The consequences
of this decision have not only driven thousands of scientists overseas in search of more money and greater opportunity--but also put the brakes on the march of medicine. I've always wondered how these legislators would act if their health--or their
children's health--was on the line and stem cell research might lead to a cure.""Despite its potential, the federal government has restricted funding for creating new cell lines--putting the burden of any future research squarely on the shoulders of
the private sector. Government's most basic responsibility, however, is the health and welfare of its people, so it has a duty to encourage appropriate scientific investigations that could possibly save the lives of millions."
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Source: Quotation cited during 2013 campaign on WikiQuote.org
Donald Trump on Abortion
: Apr 25, 2011
Undecided on embryonic stem cell research
Trump commented on the issue of embryonic stem cell research--important because President Barack Obama overturned the pro-life protections President George W. Bush put into place that prevented taxpayers from being forced to pay for new
research that included the destruction of human life for a process that has yet to help a single patient.Trump said he's undecided on the controversial science and he wants to investigate it further before formulating an official position.
He also appeared to recognize the controversial nature of embryonic stem cell research by assuring the newspaper he has not funded it in his business enterprises.
"I would say that I'd like to get back to you because
I'm studying it very closely," Trump said. "It's an issue, don't forget, that as a businessman I've never been involved in."
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Source: LifeNews.com, "Trump opposes most abortions"
Barack Obama on Abortion
: Aug 1, 2008
1997: opposed bill preventing partial-birth abortion
In 1997, Obama voted in the Illinois Senate against SB 230, a bill designed to prevent partial-birth abortions. In the US Senate, Obama has consistently voted to expand embryonic stem cell research.
He has voted against requiring minors who get out-of-state abortions to notify their parents. The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) gives Obama a 100% score on his pro-choice voting record in the Senate for 2005, 2006, and 2007.
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Source: Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi, p.238-239
Mike Gravel on Abortion
: Apr 22, 2008
Fund stem cell research on existing & new embryonic lines
Q: Do you support federal funding for research on existing embryonic stem cell lines?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support federal funding to create lines of stem cells from new embryos?
A: Yes.
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Source: Presidential Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Hillary Clinton on Principles & Values
: Feb 11, 2008
FactCheck: Ranked 16th most liberal in Senate
Obama was asked about a recent ranking of senators by the National Journal that rated him the most liberal in 2007. He responded by citing one vote on “an office of public integrity that stood outside of the Senate.”Obama’s answer could mislead voters
Obama cited just one of 99 Senate votes selected by National Journal’s reporters and editors for the study. Most of the votes chosen had to do with the minimum wage, renewable energy, immigration, embryonic stem cell research, and other issues that
divide liberals and conservatives.
Clinton ranked 16th most liberal in the Senate, although she actually differed from Obama on just 2 of the 99 selected votes--the creation of an outside ethics office, and allowing certain immigrants to stay in the
country while their visas were being renewed. A comparison of Obama & Clinton over the last three years (since Obama has been in the Senate) shows that Obama had an average composite “liberal” score of 88, which is higher than Clinton’s average of 77.6.
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Source: FactCheck.org on 2008 Politico pre-Potomac Primary interview
Hillary Clinton on Principles & Values
: Dec 13, 2007
Focus on foreign policy and revising executive orders
I will send bipartisan emissaries around the world with a simple message that the era of cowboy diplomacy is over. We’re going to start working together to try and find common ground wherever possible. I will review executive orders, rescind those that
undermine the Constitution & betray the rule of law, & issues like not interfering with science. I’ll ask Congress to send me everything that Bush vetoed like stem cell research and begin to prepare my legislative and budget proposals for the Congress.
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Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate
Barack Obama on Abortion
: Aug 26, 2007
Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases
Barack Obama believes we owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life threatening diseases. Stem cells hold the promise of treatments and cures for more than
70 major diseases and conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injuries, and diabetes. As many as 100 million Americans may benefit from embryonic stem cell research. As president, Obama would: - Promote Embryonic
Stem Cell Research
- Support Medical Advancement and Innovation
- Expand the Number of Stem Cell Lines Available for Research
- Ensure Ethical Standards
Obama introduced legislation in the Illinois Senate to ensure that only those embryos that would otherwise be discarded could be used and that donors would have to provide written consent for the use of the embryos.
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Source: 2008 Presidential campaign website, BarackObama.com “Flyers”
Hillary Clinton on Abortion
: Jun 20, 2007
Lift ban on stem cell research to cure devastating diseases
Later today, the president will veto a bill passed by Congress to support stem cell research. I co-chair the Alzheimer’s Caucus in the Senate. I’ve worked on helping to boost funding for research to look for cures and a way to prevent so many devastating
diseases. And we know that stem cell research holds the key to our understanding more about what we can do. When I am president, I will lift the ban on stem cell research. This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science.
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Source: Take Back America 2007 Conference
Bob Corker on Abortion
: Oct 10, 2006
No stem cell research that destroys human life
Q: What about stem cell research on fertilized eggs that would otherwise be destroyed? CORKER: My dad has Alzheimer’s, and I know a lot of people are afflicted. I want to use every piece of science available to cure those diseases -- adult stem cells;
cord research -- those types of stem cell research that have actually been proven, I want to see those carried out. I was incredibly disappointed that this last Congress did not add the money necessary to make sure that those types of technology are
carried on. I do not support the type of stem cell research that destroys human life. But I strongly support those kinds that are proven to cure diseases, where we have tremendous breakthroughs.
FORD: When it comes to stem cells, I’m with [the
people]. His party has blocked it. He claims that the Congress blocked it -- I would remind my opponent that the Republicans who control the House, the Senate, and the White House.
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Source: 2006 TN Senate debate, at University of Chattanooga
Amy Klobuchar on Abortion
: Jul 19, 2006
Supports embryonic stem cell research
Democrat Amy Klobuchar criticized her Republican opponent, Mark Kennedy, for not supporting embryonic stem cell research. She says his vote, and the President’s veto, are tying the hands of researchers in Minnesota. “This is the home of the
Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, and we always have been on the cutting edge of new frontiers. Whether it’s pacemakers or Post-It Notes, we’ve been there,” says Klobuchar. “And stem cell research is the new frontier for research for cures.”
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Source: Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio
Mike Gravel on Abortion
: Jun 27, 2006
Stem Cell research should not be limited
Stem Cell research is something the Senator feels strongly about -- and believes that it is wrong to limit the advancement of science.
He spoke of the day when using a corpse for medical research was unheard of, and condemned -- and pointed out that that would lead to many medical breakthroughs.
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Source: Blue State Observer, “Scones with the Senator”
Barack Obama on Abortion
: Jun 16, 2004
Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill
State Senator Barack Obama today called for passage of the Ronald Reagan Biomedical Research Act (HB 3589), which will permit embryonic stem cell research in Illinois. The bill, formerly known as the Stem Cell Research Act, was recently renamed to honor
the memory of former President Ronald Reagan.The Ronald Reagan Biomedical Research Act specifically permits embryonic stem cell research in Illinois. Today, more than 100 million Americans are afflicted by medical problems [which could be affected by
this research]. Obama says, “This bill affects diseases that attack Americans - regardless of their gender, age, economic status, ethnicity, race or political affiliation. This is about a commitment to medical research, under strict federal guidelines.
I call on leaders in Illinois and President Bush in Washington to stop playing politics on this critical issue and expand the current policy on embryonic stem cell research so that we can begin finding the cures of tomorrow today.”
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Source: Press Release, “Stem Cell Research Bill”
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