by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 1, 2005
All Rights Reserved.

nviting the wrath of religious conservatives, Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), broke with the White House on embryonic stem cell research, asking President George W. Bush to modify his current policy. Bush's current policy limits federal funding on stem cell research to 28 existing cell lines, believed by most reputable scientists contaminated and essentially worthless. Frist's decision to support more federal funding anticipates new legislation on a collision course with Bush's veto. Bush opposes embryonic stem cell research because it creates new tissue for the sole purpose of saving lives. He doesn't see the inconsistency of creating human lives to staff military adventures that also results in ending lives. With his eyes on the White House in 2008, Frist either shot himself in the foot or broadened his appeal to moderate Republicans, independents and swing voters.

      Frist may represent an atrophying wing of his own party, namely, moderate Republicans, now taking a backseat to social and religious conservatives. Outing himself on stem cells pits him against pro-life Christians, hijacking any cause, including the Teri Schaivo debacle, to advance opposition to Roe v. Wade—the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion. Red flags have already been raised for Bush's Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts who faces confirmation hearings Sept. 6. “Cure today may be just a theory, a hope, a dream . . . but the promise is powerful enough that I believe this research deserves our increased energy and focus,” Frist told his Senate colleagues, causing gyrations at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. With Bush's Iraq policy hurting his approval ratings, he didn't need more dissension and controversy before next year's midyear elections.

      Deviating from the Party line hasn't been easy, especially where disagreements result in name-calling like “liberal,” “un-Christian,” or, for those taking exception with Iraq, “unpatriotic.” Breaking ranks with Bush took courage, especially for the genteel Southern physician whom the White House supported when former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) was unceremoniously dumped. Before Frist took the Senate reins, he was a consensus-builder, commanding respect from Democrats. Frist showed toughness, stretching his diplomatic skills to the breaking point, proposing his “nuclear option” to deal with obstructionist Democrats on judicial filibusters. Going out on a limb, Frist will now have to recant or face the ire of social and religious conservatives currently spending political capital for supporting Bush's reelection. There's a price to pay for stepping out-of-line.

      Religious and social conservatives take credit for Bush's reelection, despite polls showing that many independents and crossover Democrats didn't vote for Kerry. Frist's support for more federal funding for stem cell research sends a loud message to religious and social conservatives that they have no business meddling in the scientific community. Bush's religious views—important as they may be—shouldn't leak into national science policy. In a secular, pluralistic society, it's not fair for the narrow views of one religious group to prevail when it sacrifices the public good. According to a May 2005 CBS poll, 58% of respondents support embryonic stem cell research. Only 31% oppose federal funding for stem cells. That random sample included religious and social conservatives. Yet, if you listen to Bush's base, they believe they're in the majority and have a right to influence national science policy.

      Before Frist stepped out-of-line on stem cells, he rubber-stamped pro-life views on abortion. It always seemed odd that a former transplant surgeon took exception to Roe v. Wade, giving patients the constitutional right to medical treatment. Because of his stance opposing abortion, Frist was supported by as Senate Majority Leader by social and religious conservatives. “His change of heart has nothing to with any scientific breakthrough . . . What's changed is that Dr. Duplicity wants to be president,” said Catholic League President William Donahue, slapping Frist for speaking his heart. Religious and social conservatives confuse abortion with “right-to-life” and now embryonic stem cell research. By supporting more federal dollars for stem cell research, Frist hasn't changed his views on abortion, he's simply making the point that the government should support cutting-edge medical science.

      Attacking Frist for supporting stem cell research displays the cosmic audacity of the religious right to interfere with scientific research. President Bush, while holding certain personal views, shouldn't impose them on the majority that supports a clear separation of church-and-state, allowing scientists to work unencumbered with government support. Plenty of human embryos were lost in the process of developing improved reproductive technology, allowing many pro-life, infertile couples the opportunity of having children, capitalizing on medical breakthroughs. Instead of promising a veto, President Bush should rethink his opposition to more federal funding for stem cell research. Whether Frist's move helps or hurts his political future is anyone's guess. One thing's for sure: He's trying to get right a policy that could relieve suffering and save lives.

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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