White House: Bush's Culture of Life 'Confirmed' by Stem Cell Announcement
by Jim Brown
January 12, 2007
(AgapePress) - - The White House is once again touting adult stem-cell research in light of a new study that indicates an abundance of stem cells can be derived from the amniotic fluid that cushions babies in the womb. Following the November elections, House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi said she was going to make unrestricted funding of embryo-destructive research a number-one priority. She has proven true to her word. Yesterday 37 House Republicans joined 216 Democrats in voting to approve a bill that would expand federal funding of such research.
Tim Goeglein, deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, notes the vote comes the same week a type of cell that floats freely in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women is found to have many of the same traits as embryonic stem cells. (See earlier story)
"Which includes the ability to grow into brain, muscle, and other tissues that could be used to treat a variety of diseases," Goeglein explains. "This is extraordinarily big news. These highly versatile and readily available amniotic stem cells are very rapidly becoming at the heart of this debate."
Goeglein says the popular distinction between embryonic and adult stem-cell research is central to the debate. "The president has always said that there is a way to have stem-cell research that is not anti-life, that is consistent with the culture of life, and that is consistent with the best new science," he comments.
According to Goeglein, President Bush has always said there is a way to conduct stem cell research that does not destroy human life. The study out of Harvard University Medical School and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, says the White House spokesman, proves that such a hope is real and that the president is "confirmed in what he has been talking about."
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
