Higgins Replies:
Critics of stem cell research ignore conspicuous facts
Chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s inflict untold misery upon Americans each year. Stem cell research has the potential to alleviate much of that misery. Unfortunately, much confusion remains about this research. What is stem cell research? In a world where chronic diseases claim the lives of 70 percent of Americans, this research remains the best hope toward developing regenerative therapies resulting in creation of new cells and tissue in virtually every organ in the body.
Opponents contend that it will result in the destruction of surplus embryos. They ignore the fact that these embryos will eventually be destroyed as medical waste, with great life-saving potential tossed away. Because this fact renders opponents’ arguments hypocritical or inconsistent, they simply ignore it, just as they ignore the tremendous potential this research possesses.
This is an issue that has humanity at its core. While there will always be debate, reasonable people can find areas of common agreement. Let’s abandon the “all or nothing” approach that has dogged this issue, and let’s open our hearts and minds to the limitless potential this research has, and work together to eliminate chronic disease and human suffering in the years to come.
Brian Higgins
*Member of Congress *