Congress Takes Up Stem Cells, Faces Politics of Science and Morality Yet Again

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2007 — -- The federal funding of stem cell research has been a political hot potato for Republicans since the beginning of President Bush's time in office -- and once again Democrats are tossing that potato right back at the GOP.

In 2001 Bush decided to cut off federal funding for new embryonic stem cell research, angering scientists and stem cell proponents who argue the research has vast, untapped potential to help patients with cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and spinal cord injuries.

But with Democrats in Congress now holding a razor-thin majority, and polls continuing to show a majority of Americans supportive of the research, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing a bill that would expand and encourage federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research.

It's an issue, political observers say, that is particularly difficult for Republicans seeking office in 2008.

"They're in a quandary here," said Ornstein, a political scientist and research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

"There's no question that a significant majority of Americans favor embryonic stem cell research," he said, "but as with an issue like gun control, it's intensity of opinion that matters as much as numbers, and you've got some real intensity on the anti-stem cell side."

Seeking a political compromise, Sens. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., have proposed a more conservative version of the bill that would encourage stem cell research on only those embryos that have lost the ability to develop into fetuses.

"They're looking for an alternative, desperately seeking something that will let some of their vulnerable members, especially their vulnerable pro-life members, be able to say that they're for stem cell research without having to be for embryonic stem cell research," said Ornstein.

While the compromise bill is being supported by GOP presidential candidates Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sam Brownback, R-Kan., Ornstein predicts the Democratic majority bill supported by Reid will ultimately pass in the Senate.