More Proof, Though None Is Needed

The evidence is becoming clearer that George Bush’s continued ban on federally funded fetal tissue transplant research is not only politically misconceived but medically inhumane.

Two reports last week provide what some scientists call intriguing new evidence that such transplants can alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Experiments indicated that although the procedure did not cure this degenerative disease of the brain cells that help control movement, the course of the disease was slowed. Some patients even got slightly better after receiving a transplant. This technique has also shown promise in treating diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and muscular dystrophy.

Nonetheless, the Bush Administration has banned the use of federal dollars for fetal tissue transplant research since 1988, insisting--contrary to any evidence--that availability of this surgical technique would encourage women to have abortions just to supply the tissue.

The effect of the ban has been to discourage even private foundations from funding such research and to deny patients a promising treatment and possibly a cure.

Perhaps the new findings will be the nudge needed to overturn the research ban. Both branches of Congress already have passed bills doing so. The margin in the House was 16 votes short of a veto-proof majority; the Senate majority was overwhelming--even conservative Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) supports lifting this cruel ban.

A compromise bill will go before Congress later this month and then to the President. He must sign it.