Stem Cell Campaign Hides Embryonic Agenda
By Doug Edelman (12/04/05)
The Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures (www.missouricures.com) has launched an all out media assault with a petition advocating stem-cell research. Using crafty wording in their advertising and on their website, they highlight their opposition to the use of human cloning in this research. (Thank Goodness for small favors!)
However, while their actual position is to cause Missouri to allow the use of embryonic and fetal tissues, they are very VERY careful not to say so!! Hidden deeply within the phrase "stem cell research, therapies or cures that are permitted by federal law" should be allowed in Missouri, their agenda is clear. Sadly, Federal law does not prohibit the use of embryonic and fetal tissues in Stem Cell Research – it only restricts federal FUNDING for such activities.
Their aim to keep Missouri from restricting embryonic and fetal tissue use in stem cell research is glossed over, but can be clearly seen in their FAQ's, if read carefully.
"Our Coalition believes that any stem cell research, therapies or cures that are permitted by federal law should be allowed in Missouri – provided that such activities are conducted ethically and safely and do not involve human reproductive cloning. Like the overwhelming majority of medical experts, medical organizations and patient advocacy groups, we believe that ALL types of stem cell research should be pursued in the effort to find lifesaving cures, including research involving adult stem cells, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and stem cells from excess fertility clinic embryos (also called blastocysts or pre-embryos) that would otherwise be discarded. We also believe that human cloning to create babies should be banned."
So any stem cell research NOT BANNED by federal law should be permitted in Missouri. They make it clear they support ALL types of stem cell research. They even mention the fertility clinic excess embryos, careful to mention that they'd otherwise be discarded… but of course they make no restriction to these being the ONLY embryonic or fetal tissues they promote using.
The Coalition has launched a radio and television campaign – using former Missouri Senator John Danforth as their spokesman touting that he voted pro-life while in the Senate. There is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public in to supporting their position as being innocuous and not offensive to the pro-life cause.
Their wordsmith spins their proposal to make it as palatable as possible while truly promoting the wholesale elimination of restrictions on embryonic and fetal tissue use in stem cell research. Suddenly, the "products of conception" vacuumed from the wombs of unwilling mothers will further fuel the economy of death. The dead babies will be a commodity for sale to researchers!
Copyright © 2005 by Doug Edelman
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