by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright June 4, 2004
All Rights Reserved.

ying on his deathbed, 93-year-old former President Ronald Reagan, a victim of Alzheimer's disease, makes the strongest possible case for why government should not interfere with stem cell research. President George W. Bush jumped into the fray signing an executive order in 2001, limiting research to existing stem cell lines. Mass hysteria about human cloning rallied the pro-life community to fight tooth-and-nail about embryonic stem cells—remarkably regenerative tissue capable of curing ravaging diseases and genetic defects. Bush's opposition—and those of religious conservatives—stem from Christian fundamentalism, believing that embryonic tissue tampers with the sanctity of life. Those same religious conservatives routinely undergo assisted reproductive technology, namely, genetic testing, invitro-fertilization and other procedures to conquer infertility.

      Qualifying for the November ballot, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative plans to fund $3 billion for advanced research, placing California squarely in the lead of the stem cell industry. Bush's executive order hamstrung researchers seeking to harvest stem cells from discarded embryos, largely from fertility and abortion clinics. Religious conservatives have no problem capitalizing on modern genetics, offering treatments for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including incurable cancer, heart disease and blood disorders. Yet when it comes to developing promising treatments for spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, etc., embryonic stem cells remain off limits. Whether the ballot initiative passes of not, it highlights how Bush's religious views interfere with his presidential decision-making, especially the will of Californians favoring embryonic stem cell research.

      Whatever one thinks of Iraq, blocking embryonic stem cell research crosses a dangerous line, allowing the religious community to veto scientific research. There's absolutely no excuse for politicians throwing roadblocks into cutting edge research, making the U.S. the laughing stock of the global scientific community. Despite whopping deficits, nearly a million registered voters believe that California must lead the way where Washington has failed. Floating $3 billion in general obligation bonds would create a state agency—analogous to the National Institutes of Health—to finance stem cell research. “You add a $3 billion funding possibility for . . . research on stem cells, I think I just blows the top off of the roof,” said Michael Manganiello, senior vice president of the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundations. Reeves damaged his spinal cord jumping horses in 1995 and remains paralyzed.

      California hardly needs another state agency to compensate for failures in Washington, especially in light of looming budget deficits and growing debt. Yet polling shows that Californians support stem cell research. Bush's opposition t stem cell research doesn't look good heading into November. With rising pump prices and California's 2001 power crisis back in the headlines, Bush has a lot of explaining to do if he hopes to win the Golden State. While Enron and other out-of-state power vendors were fleecing the state, Bush and Cheney insisted that California's hadn't built enough power plants. Today's stem cell debate reminds voters that Bush isn't in-sync with California voters. “I do think the initiative is designed in part to embarrass President Bush . . .” said Wesley J. Smith, a senior fellow at Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based think tank, going over the deep end.

      Lobbyists behind Calfiornia's stem cell ballot initiative have nothing to do with Bush's political positions—whether they hurt or help his cause. Smith's right about one thing: Bush's views on embryonic stem cells come from politics not what's best for science, or, for that matter, patients suffering from dreaded diseases. President Reagan's death from Alzheimer's disease makes a powerful case supporting stem cell research. Bush's personal views or those of religious conservatives have no place in the national dialogue on stem cell research. Even California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a recipient of a Pig mitral valve, recognizes that pro-life groups have no right influencing policy decisions that affect scientific research. Whether Nancy Reagan gets behind the stem cell ballot initiative is anyone's guess. She knows that religious conservatives couldn't help her ailing husband.

      Embryonic stem cell research promises to be lightening rod heading into November: Not, as you may think, on the merits of cutting edge science but precisely because it shows how out-of-touch Bush is with mainstream Californians. No politician should impose quasi-religious views on public policy, especially where it affects the health, safety and welfare of the public. Eccentric ideology loosely attached to the pro-life movement shouldn't be used to hamstring medicine from finding cures to dreaded diseases. Bush's 2001 executive order limiting federal funding on stem cell research shows how quasi-religious thinking currently infects public policy. Personal or religious views have no place political decision-making. Had embryonic stem cell research moved ahead during the Reagan years, science would be a lot closer to curing patients suffering from currently hopeless diseases.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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