Where regents stand
UNMC’s policies on stem cells
* Allows adult stem cell research
* Allows embryonic stem cell research in special cases
* Bans cloning
* Says UNMC must follow all federal guidelines regardless of source of research funds, effectively ruling that at least through President George W. Bush’s tenure, UNMC can conduct embryonic stem cell research only on already-existing stem cell lines
What regents say
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research
Charles Wilson of Lincoln: “If it’s true that embryos are human beings, then fertility clinics must, must, must be shut down. The opponents, they always ignore that. Ultimately, the opponents are going to have to get honest about addressing this issue. The embryos were going to be destroyed anyway. I double-underline ‘going to be destroyed anyway.’”
Bob Whitehouse of Papillion: “People get it so confused. I’m not for abortion. It’s about giving hope to those who have none.”
Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons: “It won’t cost a single life, but it has the potential to save millions of lives, like from the ravages of Parkinson’s. The right thing to do is to do this research.”
Kent Schroeder of Kearney: “If we curtail this research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, it will have a chilling effect.”
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research
Jim McClurg of Lincoln: “I don’t believe it’s necessary to destroy human life to do good research. There are many, many good opportunities to do good research within federal guidelines.”
Bob Phares of North Platte: “It’s a destruction of life and that leads me to my opposition. ... I don’t see any evidence that there’s anything particularly strong happening with embryonic stem cell research. I have good friends with Parkinson’s. I empathize. But I also think we have to be guarding the sanctity of life as we’re pursuing good research.”
Randy Ferlic of Omaha: “I’m for stem-cell research but I’m not for obtaining stem cells that require killing an embryo. ... It cheapens our attitude toward our fellow human beings.”
On the fence:
Howard Hawks of Omaha: “Our research programs can succeed without using embryonic stem cells from elective abortions. ... Using leftover stem cells (from fertility treatment clinics), that’s debatable.”
* Allows adult stem cell research
* Allows embryonic stem cell research in special cases
* Bans cloning
* Says UNMC must follow all federal guidelines regardless of source of research funds, effectively ruling that at least through President George W. Bush’s tenure, UNMC can conduct embryonic stem cell research only on already-existing stem cell lines
What regents say
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research
Charles Wilson of Lincoln: “If it’s true that embryos are human beings, then fertility clinics must, must, must be shut down. The opponents, they always ignore that. Ultimately, the opponents are going to have to get honest about addressing this issue. The embryos were going to be destroyed anyway. I double-underline ‘going to be destroyed anyway.’”
Bob Whitehouse of Papillion: “People get it so confused. I’m not for abortion. It’s about giving hope to those who have none.”
Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons: “It won’t cost a single life, but it has the potential to save millions of lives, like from the ravages of Parkinson’s. The right thing to do is to do this research.”
Kent Schroeder of Kearney: “If we curtail this research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, it will have a chilling effect.”
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research
Jim McClurg of Lincoln: “I don’t believe it’s necessary to destroy human life to do good research. There are many, many good opportunities to do good research within federal guidelines.”
Bob Phares of North Platte: “It’s a destruction of life and that leads me to my opposition. ... I don’t see any evidence that there’s anything particularly strong happening with embryonic stem cell research. I have good friends with Parkinson’s. I empathize. But I also think we have to be guarding the sanctity of life as we’re pursuing good research.”
Randy Ferlic of Omaha: “I’m for stem-cell research but I’m not for obtaining stem cells that require killing an embryo. ... It cheapens our attitude toward our fellow human beings.”
On the fence:
Howard Hawks of Omaha: “Our research programs can succeed without using embryonic stem cells from elective abortions. ... Using leftover stem cells (from fertility treatment clinics), that’s debatable.”
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