Currently, the Bush Administration will only allow research on the stem cell lines already in existence.
The Reagans, like thousands of other families, have had to endure much emotional suffering while helplessly watching their loved one succumb to Alzheimer's disease in his last years. While we sympathize with those who deal with such debilitating diseases as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes, Pro-life Democrats cannot condone any type of destruction of a human life at any stage of development for the purpose of medical research. We do not even support the current limited position of the Bush Administration.
Nancy Reagan and her son, Ron, believe that our government should fund research on the thousands of embryos that are left over when people opt for in vitro fertilization. They consider the currently frozen “tot pops,” as the they are endearingly referred to by the pro-embryonic research people, to be destined for the trash heap and would rather put them to good use. This is utilitarianism in its worst form.
Ron Reagan recently told the New York Times, “The people who politicized it the most are the Republicans who are pandering to their base. Their religious reasons shouldn't impact on the rest of us.” As usual, the Pro-life Democrat opinion has been totally ignored by those who would force their “non-religious” reasons on the rest of us.
Democrats for Life of America, Inc. (DFLA) fully supports research and development of adult stem cells which, unlike embryonic stem cells, have shown promise in the cure of serious illnesses. Even if embryonic stem cells showed promise, we could not support this cannibalistic approach to science. Religion need not even be mentioned here.
By its reference to Nancy Reagan and Christopher Reeve (two strong proponents of embryonic stem cell research) in the 2004 DNC Platform, we should be able to see that the DNC wholeheartedly supports this type of research. But, in typical fashion, they have cloaked their position by lumping both adult stem cell and embryonic stem cell research under the same category of “stem cell therapy.” The voting public deserves better than this dishonest attempt to hide behind innocuous wording.
If this isn't enough, the DNC convention has added insult to injury by appearing to be conciliatory toward us Pro-life Democrats by inviting Congressman James Langevin (D-RI), to speak at the convention. Langevin, the first quadriplegic to serve in the United States House of Representatives, is a Democrat who opposes abortion and who sits on the Advisory Board to DFLA because of his opposition to abortion. We Pro-life Dems, who have been ignored by the DNC since the beginning of this campaign, shouldn't consider this invitation to be a victory. Congressman Langevin has been asked to introduce Ron Reagan as he makes his argument in favor of government-funded and government-approved embryonic stem cell research.
According to Congressman Langevin's own website, “Langevin is a strong proponent of increasing government funding and expanding the number of stem cell lines available for research beyond the limits set by President Bush in August, 2001.” With all due respect, given his circumstances, one could understand why Congressman Langevin has allowed himself to overlook the basic violation to human life in hope of finding a cure to his tragic situation. We would respectfully ask Congressman Langevin to consider the inherent conflict between his position on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Is he actually suggesting that we should disregard the dignity of human life if we can somehow justify the destruction of human life for utilitarian purposes? Did not Nazis do the same?
Pro-life Democrats would ask all Americans to seriously consider the direction in which our society is heading if we are going to accept the experimentation on human life in its earliest stages. The DNC will not be presenting both sides of this very important ethical issue at this year's convention. The prime-time presentation of their position should be viewed with extreme caution. Please take the time to consider another side to this issue. For an opinion on embryonic stem cell research that is truly pro-life, please read this article by Jameson Taylor.
© Copyright 2004 Catholic Exchange
Valerie Mierzwa is President of Florida Democrats for Life of America, Inc. (www.floridadfla.org). She lives in Palm Beach County, Florida, and can be reached at voices@floridadfla.org.
