Would remembering basic human principles help to stem the tide of poisonous political partisanship?

Agape Press, July 29, 2004: Dr. John Kilner, president of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (CBHD), is criticizing Ron Reagan, Jr.'s stance on embryonic stem-cell research (ESCR) and so-called therapeutic cloning as both misinformed and misleading. Kilner says history is littered with similarly misguided attempts "to relieve suffering by cutting ethical corners," but in the case of ESCR, he points out that it is not only unadvisable to do so -- it is unnecessary. The Center's president notes, "All that Ron Reagan advocated can be achieved through adult stem-cell research.

But he amazingly never mentioned adult stem cells. Instead, his misleading language covered up the fact that producing the cells he seeks requires cloning human beings and then destroying them." But Kilner insists, "Cloning and killing are too high an ethical price to pay, particularly when there is another safe way to develop the same cures."

Daniel McConchie, director of public relations at the CBHD, points out that the U.S. government is spending around $28 million this year on ESCR, and the administration is proposing to add $18 million to that. He says more money would be better spent on adult stem-cell research, where 45 diseases are currently being treated, and new treatments are forthcoming.