Stem-Cell Opponents Make Emotional Appeal

W A S H I N G T O N, July 17 -- Opponents of embryonic stem-cell research today put a human face on their cause, in the hopes of countering emotional appeals made by supporters of the controversial studies.

Should the government fund biomedical research that scientists say holds the promise of lifesaving medical breakthroughs, but that critics say is immoral because it uses cells harvested from human embryos that are destroyed in the process?

As President Bush and Congress wrestle with that question, advocates on both sides are waging an emotionally charged tug-of-war over the answer.

Mark and Luke Borden, 9 1/2-month-old twins from Fontana, Calif. have become poster children for those lobbying against federal funding.

Their mother Lucinda gave birth to them after being implanted with frozen embryos she and her husband John adopted.

"Mark and Luke are living rebuttal to the claim that embryos are not people," Mrs. Borden told lawmakers on Capitol Hill today. "We plead with you not to fund their slaughter."

The hearing room then fell completely silent as Mr. Borden stood, cradling his two sons in his arms, and posed a rhetorical question to supporters of stem-cell research.

"Which one of my children would you kill?" he asked. "Which one would you choose to take?"

Emotional Arguments From Both Sides

The Bordens and others were invited to testify today by Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., the chairman of a House Governmental Reform subcommittee, who is opposed to the research. Their appearance was part of an effort to counter what many opponents concede has been a largely successful effort by supporters to publicize the likely human toll of cutting off government funding.

Medical researchers say continued stem-cell studies could yield cures for debilitating diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., who chairs a Government Affairs subcommittee and backs government funding, invited 200 children with juvenile diabetes to appear at a hearing last month.