Voices

“To support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is to come down on the side of hope for the millions of Americans suffering from diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s, to cancer, to Parkinson’s, to diabetes.”

--Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota

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“Our rabbinic authorities inform us that an isolated fertilized egg does not enjoy the full status of personhood and its attendant protections.”

--The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in a letter to Bush

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“There are a whole lot of diseases that result from the death of a few cells, such as the death of pancreatic cells causing diabetes. There is a reasonable expectation that we can replace those cells without decades of work.”

--Dr. James A. Thomson, a University of Wisconsin researcher who first isolated human embryonic stem cells

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“It’s not OK to say we’ll limit the number of embryo human beings we kill in order to cure others.”

--Kenneth Connor, Family Research Council president

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“Stem cell research is something I deeply believe in for myself and the millions of other people who could benefit.”

--actress Mary Tyler Moore, who has battled juvenile diabetes for more than 30 years

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“An assault on innocent human life.”

--Pope John Paul II

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“It will increase the chances of a meltdown in the Republican base, which he’s going to need in all kinds of other fights.”

--Conservative activist Gary Bauer

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“Embryonic stem cell research can be conducted within strict scientific standards in a morally and ethically responsible way.”

--Rep. Calvin M. Dooley (D-Visalia)

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“We shouldn’t be creating young humans just for research purposes.”

--Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.)

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“In my view, pursuing every medical possibility for people suffering life-threatening diseases that scientists believe might be treated through advanced discoveries resulting from stem cell research upholds the sanctity of human life.”

--Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.)