Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Gov. Culver Provides Facts on Stem Cell Research
Governor Culver congratulates Senate on quick passage of this important bill
(Des Moines) On Wednesday, February 14, 2007, Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge held a news conference outlining the facts about stem cell research.
“It’s about saving lives, it’s based on sound science and it’s about being competitive with other states in life sciences,” said Governor Culver. “This is not a partisan issue, and never has been. It’s about hope for cures – not political grandstanding.”
The Governor was joined by University of Iowa researchers Dr. Meredith Hay and Dr. Mark Anderson, who spoke to the medical benefits of this life-saving research.
The Governor was also joined by Quent Boykin and Rick Langel, who both have a child who suffers from juvenile diabetes and who shared their hopes that this ban will be lifted. “My son was diagnosed the week of his eighth birthday- he’s now 17. I would like to see a cure for this disease found in his lifetime, and I commend Governor Culver’s leadership and the state senators for making this a priority. I hope the members of the house vote to send this bill to the Governor’s desk,” said Mr. Boyken.
According to Mr. Langel, “As a Christian, I believe that life begins at conception. We can do this research without destroying life. That is very important to me. I don’t want to see human cloning, I don’t know anyone who does. …There will be those who will say that I am using my daughter for politics. That’s just not true. When you live with this disease every day, politics don’t matter. What matters is maintaining good blood sugar scores. What matters is finding a cure.”
The Governor’s press conference was held just hours after the Senate voted in favor of SF 162, which lifts the ban on stem cell research.
The Governor also presented Stem Cell Research Fact vs Myth (attached). Governor Culver said, “An overwhelming majority of Iowans support stem cell research. As a government teacher, I told my students that nothing is easy and nothing is free. I’m encouraged that Iowans embrace the facts and support this potentially life-saving opportunity that’s before us.”
STEM CELL RESEARCH
FACT vs. MYTH
MYTH: The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (SF 162) lifts the ban on human cloning.
FACT: False. Human cloning is banned, period. SF 162 lifts the current ban on Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer while keeping in place several measures banning human cloning and making human cloning a felony. Opponents of this bill have failed to find one single public official in favor of human cloning.
MYTH: Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer creates an embryo, thus creating human beings.
FACT: False. SCNT creates embryonic stem cell lines, which are nothing close to embryos. There is no sperm involved in SCNT which makes it impossible to create embryos.
MYTH: There are existing adult stem cell lines, so there is no difference between using those and using embryonic stem cell lines.
FACT: Nobody knows. Experts across the board have said embryonic stem cells are more flexible, live longer in experiments and provide greater potential to cure disease. It is important to remember that in 1899, a former U.S. Patent Commissioner wanted President McKinley to abolish the Patent Office claiming, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” He was clearly wrong, just as those are today who say, “We don’t need any additional types of research to save lives.” It is irresponsible to criminalize this research in Iowa.
MYTH: You can oppose this bill and still support embryonic stem cell research.
FACT: Wrong. Scientists agree they can not move forward on embryonic stem cell research until the ban on SCNT is lifted. Simply put, by opposing this bill, you are opposing the greatest potential science has to offer to find life-saving cures.