Ethicists and Senators Back Stem Cell Studies

More than 50 ethics scholars have signed a letter asking President Bush to support medical research using cells from human embryos, and 61 U.S. senators went on record Friday as supporting the research.

“We urge you not to close this door on what might be a critical path to the human future,” said the ethicists’ letter, which was signed by scholars of Lutheran, Baptist, Jewish, Catholic and other faiths.

White House aides have said they are worried that Bush will anger Catholic voters, who may be pivotal in the next presidential election, if he supports the research. The ethicists urged Bush “in the strongest possible terms to consider the full range of religious views on this critical topic.”

Among those signing the letter were Margaret A. Farley of Yale Divinity School, Suzanne Holland of the University of Puget Sound and Laurie Zoloth of San Francisco State University.

The embryo cells, known as stem cells, have the power to become nearly any other type of cell or tissue in the body, and scientists hope to learn how to fashion them into replacement body parts for patients. Catholic leaders and antiabortion groups oppose the research, because human embryos are destroyed to get the cells.

Bush is deciding whether to allow federal funding for the research.

Two lawmakers--Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.)--released separate letters to Bush calling on him to support the research.

The 61 senators’ signatures on those letters carry political significance, suggesting that research advocates have the votes needed in the upper house to pass legislation authorizing funding for the research, even if Bush should reject a funding plan. Prospects for that legislation in the House are less certain.

Two senators who did not sign either letter have announced separately that they support the research, if certain ethical guidelines are imposed. One of those lawmakers, Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), first announced his support Friday.

Specter has said that as many as 75 of the 100 senators favor federal funding for the research.