J. F. Kerry and Stem Cell Research

Dr. John Ray, one of the bloggers at A Western Heart and he quotes an email he received from Tammy Brehm-Gibson. The link on Tammy's name points to a list of citations for a paper she co-authored. Generally the longer the list, the better the Kung-Fu of the scientist and she has most excellent Kung-Fu -- remember grasshopper, this is only one paper and she has been busy... On to her email: bq. I would like to add my comments to the current policy on Stem Cell Research that is being debated by John Kerry and George W. Bush at this time. bq. As a scientist who is involved in Medical Research at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale I know that stem cell research is in its infancy. There is great promise that research involving stem cells could help improve the lives of many people suffering from horrible diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, juvenile diabetes and perhaps even spinal cord injuries. Great Promise are the key words here! Nothing has been proven yet....the research is still in the early stages. bq. I'm personally frustrated and angered by John Kerry's political view that there is a BAN on stem cell research. There is not! Last year, the federal government spent $25 million on stem cell research (established stem cell line(s) already available from embryonic sources mostly in vitro fertilization where couples have donated extra embryos to science for research) and includes stem cells from umbilical cord blood, adult stem cells and animal stem cells. The BAN he is talking about is for new embryonic stem cells from embryos that have to be destroyed (the moral issue). How can Kerry make this claim? The claim that new stem cells from human embryos are going to cure disease???? PLEASE! It's a serious stretch!!!! How dare he!!!! She goes on and concludes with this: bq. There is no ban!!!!!!! bq. I'm sorry to report that John Kerry is lying to the American public in this area. Please do your research before you vote! Good stuff!