quotations about stem cell research
Stem cell therapy has shown tremendous promise in fighting and even eradicating disease, but it can also help us look and feel our best too.
STAFF WRITER
"6 ways stem cells are leading to medicinal miracles", ABC13, May 18, 2017
I think we can do ethically guided embryonic stem cell research. We have 100,000 to 200,000 embryos that are frozen in nitrogen today from fertility clinics. These weren't taken from abortion or something like that. They're from a fertility clinic, and they're either going to be destroyed or left frozen. And I believe if we have the option, which scientists tell us we do, of curing Parkinson's, curing diabetes, curing, you know, some kind of a ... you know, paraplegic or quadriplegic or, you know, a spinal cord injury -- anything -- that's the nature of the human spirit. I think it is respecting life to reach for that cure.
JOHN KERRY
presidential debate, October 8, 2004
Mass-market stem cells could be key. Rather than using the patient's own stem cells, developing standard, 'off-the-shelf' versions presents the best hope for treating large numbers of patients at significantly less cost.
LOIS ROGERS
"The truth about the miracle cure that promises to treat everything", Daily Mail, April 24, 2017
Stem cells are located throughout our bodies, like a reserve army offering regeneration and repair.
SAMANTHA BRESNAHAN
"Patient uses fat stem cells to repair his wrist", CNN, May 22, 2017
While I understand the passion and the conviction of those for whom the blastocyst is a person from the moment of fertilization, I do not believe this, and it is [a] matter of faith for me as well. My passion and my conviction are toward the suffering of the one I see in need, ill or wounded.
LAURIE ZOLOTH
congressional testimony to the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space, September 29, 2004
My point is, and our point as a community, is we have a very good and supportable conclusion that a vast majority of people in this country are in favor of science playing a leading role in making changes in the future and believe in embryonic stem cell research. So we're just saying, know that we have prayed on it, too, and we have thought about it, and we are good people, and we are family people, and we are people that take this very seriously, and we're as concerned as you are. And we've decided that we would like to take this step and to do it with caution and to do it with oversight and to do it with the strictest adherence to ethics and all of the principles this country stands for. But, allow us to do that without infusing the conversation with inflammatory rhetoric and name-calling and fear-mongering. It doesn't help.
MICHAEL J. FOX
ABC interview, October 29, 2006
Stem cells are like toenail clippings with a better career plan.
SCOTT ADAMS
Stick to Drawing Comics, Monkey Brain!
The bottom line is that there are 400,000 frozen embryos in the United States, and a large percentage of those are going to be thrown out. Regardless of what you think the moral status of those embryos is, it makes sense to me that it's a better moral decision to use them to help people than just to throw them out. It's a very complex issue, but to me it boils down to that one thing. If you really explain what's happening -- that these frozen embryos are ultimately going to be thrown out -- almost everybody except those that have to keep to some kind of party line will say, "What's the problem with this? We should go forward with this."
JAMES THOMSON
"Stem cell pioneer does a reality check", NBC News, June 25, 2005
Nuclear transfer technology, which allows you to create stem cells that are genetically identical to a particular patient, may be ... necessary in order to get the full value out of embryonic stem cells. This is the matter of taking the nucleus from a skin cell, putting it in a hollowed-out egg cell in a dish and growing it to the point where you can take stem cells out of it. It never enters a womb. Sperm and egg never meet. There's no pregnancy and yet the opponents of this research continue to cast this in terms of these are little tiny lives. In fact, these are specks smaller than a grain of sand in which we can derive stem cells that could have vast scientific and medical benefit.
DANIEL PERRY
PBS Online NewsHour, October 11, 2004
In the beginning there is the stem cell; it is the origin of an organism's life. It is a single cell that can give rise to progeny that differentiate into any of the specialized cells of embryonic or adult tissues.
STEWART SELL
Stem Cells Handbook
Dubai: A 19-year-old Palestinian bomb blast victim underwent a cosmetic surgery using her own stem cells to fill up a gaping hole in the calf of her right leg.
SUCHITRA BAJPAI CHAUDHARY
"Palestinian bomb blast victim undergoes surgery in Dubai hospital", Zawya, June 14, 2017
The supporters of embryo-destructive research want to cross a great moral divide. They are seeking not only to destroy human life made in God's image but also to manufacture life made in man's image.
CHUCK COLSON
"The Veto: Should We Cross the Great Moral Divide?", Free Republic, July 21, 2006
The best that can be said about embryonic stem cell research is that it is scientific exploration into the potential benefits of killing human beings.
TOM DELAY
Washington Post, May 25, 2005
Embryonic stem cell research is at the leading edge of a series of moral hazards.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Address to the Nation on Stem Cell Research, August 9, 2001
I am pro-life. I believe human life begins at conception. I also believe that embryonic stem cell research should be encouraged and supported.
BILL FRIST
speech, July 29, 2005
While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means.
GEORGE W. BUSH
speech, August 9, 2001
Undoubtedly, there is enormous interest surrounding the stem cell industry. However, this rapid technological changes leaves all industry participants wondering, what will be the future directions for the stem cell industry over the next 5, 10, or 15 years?
LAURA WOODS
"Defining the Future of the Stem Cell Industry", Business Wire, July 4, 2017
As you know, Ronnie recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday. In earlier times, we would have been able to share our mutual pride in a life filled with wonderful memories. Now, while I can draw strength from these memories, I do it alone as Ronnie struggles in a world unknown to me or the scientists who devote their lives to Alzheimer's research. Because of this, I am determined to do what I can to save others from this pain and anguish. I'm writing, therefore, to ask your help in supporting what appears to be the most promising path to a cure -- stem cell research.
NANCY REAGAN
letter to George W. Bush, April 11, 2001
Fill their lungs with tar and sage
Make the stem cells act their age
CRYSTAL CASTLES
"Insulin"
My entire political career, I voted pro-life, and that is exactly why I favor the stem cell initiative. I believe in saving human life. I want cures to be found.
JOHN DANFORTH
TV add sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, November 2005