McHugh Watch

The House passed yesterday, 247 to 176 with 37 moderate Republicans in favor, HR 5 the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Predictably, Mr. McHugh, along with Mssrs. Walsh and Kuhl were opposed, again waving their true arch conservative colors and un-yielding support for George Bush. We must add these three to those who offer us only “Blood, Oil, Fears and Debt.” This vote reconciled the Senate and House versions. It next goes to George Bush for his probable veto – Only 591 days to a Democratic President.

Here is an non exhustive list of potential diseases for which stem cells have potential use:

Diabetes
Parkinsonism
Alzheimer’s
spinal cord injuries
Lou Gehrig’s (ALS) Continue Reading »

During the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, the house passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 that finally allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo.

There are safeguards written into the bill to ensure that (1) the cells had been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics and (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment and (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment); and (4) were donated by such individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements. Note that all the conditions (“and”) have to be met before the cell can be used. The bill is purposely directed at surplus cells that were created for infertility treatments and were destined for disposal.

To be opposed to stem cell research is to purposefully deny the gift of life and hope to those with diseases that have that have either no or inadequate treatments. By logical extension, to be opposed to stem cell research is to also be opposed to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and yet another gift of life and joy to infertile couples. Continue Reading »