There’s a new campaign ad featuring Michael J. Fox that lauds the Kerry position on stem-cell research. This follows a personal appearance and speech made just last week by Sen. Kerry alongside the TV superstar criticizing the president’s restraints on the research. Kerry accuses the president of “making the wrong choice to sacrifice science for extreme right-wing ideology.”
Just out of curiosity, what ideology is that, senator? The one that believes all human life is valuable and should be protected. Correct me if I am wrong, but haven’t you publicly stated that you believe human life begins at conception? Isn’t that the position of the Catholic Church – you know, the body of believers of which you claim to be a part?
By stark contrast, the Bush-Cheney position is one that provides limited federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research, but has a full commitment to the more promising and ethical practice of adult stem-cell research. But who knew and who cares? More importantly, what impact if any will this issue have on the election? Let’s see.
Going into the first presidential debate, President Bush had a solid lead over Kerry. The topic centered on foreign policy and the most important issue of national security. Practically everyone agreed this was a Republican stronghold. It was said that all the president had to do was show up, do “OK” and the race would be in the bag.
OK, since that well-laid plan didn’t work, it might be time to move to plan “B.”
In essence, the race has tightened up. This pushes otherwise backseat issues onto center stage (which explains in part the Kerry-Fox appearance and subsequent ads.)
The specific issue of stem-cell research is particularly relevant in that it is equally important to both liberals and conservatives. Let’s face it – everyone gets sick, has an injured friend or aging relative. Disease, paralysis and other afflictions are a part of life regardless of party affiliation. That means everyone is on the lookout for a magic bullet cure at some time in their life.
Tapping into this concern of the people, Kerry consistently receives some of his loudest cheers when he promises to fund more stem-cell research. His latest promise is for $100 million a year in funding. He even has a campaign slogan on the subject: “Lift the political barriers” blocking the exploration of stem-cell therapies. Ahh … he really is a man of the people.
The problem is that Kerry is specifically talking about and targeting embryonic stem-cell research, which requires the sacrifice of an early embryo before stem cells can be harvested for treatment.
To his credit, Kerry masterfully frames the debate in his favor, tagging Republican politics and the Christian Right as road blocks to your loved one’s cure. This tactic is learned early on by would-be lawyers and politicians. That is, if you properly frame the debate and define the terms you will always win. (Do you still beat your wife, Mr. Defendant?)
So let me attempt to set the record straight on this debate one more time.
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that with chemical coaxing can turn into mature cells with specialized functions. If coaxed into heart cells they can be used to treat a diseased heart condition; likewise for a diseased liver or damaged spinal cord.
The drawback to adult stem cells is that they are generally considered harder to isolate, less versatile and more limited in potential function than those taken from embryos. The good news is that adult stem cells have been offering cures in clinical settings for various cancers, diseases and blood disorders for more than a decade.
Even better news is that these highly treasured master cells are now being isolated from fat! (Lord knows we have no shortage of that in America.)
Compare this to embryonic stem-cell research, which has offered nothing but failed clinical trials, worsening patient conditions and the sacrifice of an early embryo.
So, Mr. President, what we have here is another golden opportunity to connect with the American people and put this election away for good. Stop ignoring the stem-cell debate and make it an integral part of your campaign address. Dare I suggest a slogan: How about “Morality in Medicine” or “Conscience before Cures”?
On the money front, up the ante and promise twice the $100 million to adult stem-cell research. This old “carrot before the horse” routine will likely draw even some of the more liberal scientists away from the morally corrupt practice of embryonic stem-cell research. And promise to pass legislation banning human cloning of any kind. (By now, everybody knows that “therapeutic cloning” is code for creating your own clone and sacrificing the embryo to harvest the stem cells for personal use.)
Finally, remind the people that we are not a nation built on utilitarian rule where “the sacrifice of the one is expected for the good of the many” (with or without consent.) We are a Christian people. Our nation was built on Christian ethics. That means our greatness is in part judged by how well we treat and protect the least of those among us – even in our pursuit of live-saving cures.
If a utilitarian mindset is allowed to take hold, who will be next? The elderly, the disabled, the terminally ill, the incarcerated? As the saying goes, “If you don’t stop them from taking your neighbor, who will stop them when they come for you?”
