CHICAGO Embryonic stem-cell research (ESCR) fans were stunned by the defeat of a bill granting state endorsement to ESCR in the state Senate of Illinois. After an emotional debate which was concluded by a tear-jerking email plea from the late actor Christopher Reeve, the chamber voted 28-29 against the measure.
While ESCR supporters inserted language in the bill to suggest a ban on human cloning, ESCR opponents pointed out that even that ban contained loopholes to allow cloning.
The strong opposition of the Catholic Church to the measure was shown to be very effective as one senator switched his previous stance in favor of the legislation to a neutral stance. Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago), who supported ESCR in a spring vote, told the Chicago Tribune he abstained from voting for the measure due to a large majority of Catholics in his Northwest Side district and the strong opposition of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
Wisconsin Governor Announces Plan To Spend $750M on Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
MADISON Across the border in Wisconsin, Governor Jim Doyle announced plans to allocate $750 million for embryonic stem-cell research. The funds would be derived from both taxpayer and private sources. Included in the disbursement would be $375 million for a new laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Gov. Doyle said royalties derived from the $3 billion for stem cell research approved by Californians will also ultimately benefit the University of Wisconsin. Much of the original research and patents related to fetal stem-cell research originated at U of W.
In April, Gov. Doyle vetoed conscience legislation that would have exempted scientists from participating in the deliberate destruction of human embryos for research purposes or the use of fetal tissue from aborted babies. Researchers who choose not to participate in this research involving the immoral killing of human life are thus subject to job loss.
See also:
Wisconsin Governor Doyle Vetoes Conscience Legislation for Heath-care Workers and Facilities
(This update courtesy of LifeSiteNews.com.)