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3 GOP Leaders Warn Bush on Stem Cell Studies Armey, DeLay and Watts Decry 'Industry of Death' in Letter Highlighting Split in Republican Ranks By Ceci Connolly Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, July 3, 2001; Page A02 Just days after 38 House Republicans wrote a letter urging President Bush to support embryonic stem cell research, three of the party's leaders fired back yesterday with a strongly worded admonition to not give in to "an industry of death." Reps. Richard K. Armey, Tom DeLay and J.C. Watts, the House majority leader, majority whip and Republican conference chairman, respectively, said in a statement: "The federal government cannot morally look the other way with respect to the destruction of human embryos, then accept and pay for extracted stem cells for the purpose of medical research." House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)did not sign the statement, but his spokesman said he has voiced concerns about the ethical ramifications of the research. The issue confronting Bush is whether to go forward with a Clinton administration plan to fund experiments on cells taken from days-old human embryos. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health say the research offers the promise of breakthrough treatments and cures for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and diabetes. Opponents, particularly conservative religious leaders, compare stem cell research to abortion. Ken Connor, president of the conservative Family Research Council, said earlier this year that federal funding of embryonic stem cell research "would provide financial incentives for researchers to destroy human beings." As Bush has neared a decision, the lobbying has intensified. And for the first time since taking office, Bush faces a sharply divided party on an emotional and scientifically complex issue. In recent days, several prominent antiabortion officials have endorsed the research, citing its great medical potential. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) argued in a 12-page missive to the Bush administration that the president can support the work and remain true to his religious beliefs. In a recent interview, Hatch described stem cell research as "the most pro-life position" because of its goal of saving millions of lives. Among the antiabortion, pro-research Republican politicians are Sens. Strom Thurmond (S.C.), Gordon Smith (Ore.) and John McCain (Ariz.) and Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (Calif.). Texas Republicans Armey and DeLay, joined by Watts (Okla.), countered assertions that it is possible to be both "pro-life" and "pro-stem cell." "It is not pro-life to rely on an industry of death, even if the intention is to find cures for diseases," they said. A growing number of congressional Republicans have also threatened to act unilaterally if Bush upholds a ban on federally funded research. Hatch said Senate supporters are nearing the 60 votes needed to thwart a filibuster, and in the House, women such as Reps. Constance A. Morella (R-Md.) and Jennifer Dunn (R-Wash.) say they may be willing to offer legislation enabling the work to go forward. The issue has divided the Bush administration as well. From the outset, senior strategist Karl Rove has opposed work on embryonic cells, voicing concerns about offending Bush's supporters in the Catholic and antiabortion communities. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, who opposes abortion, supports the scientists. Both men are now searching for an alternative solution, although activists on both sides have already warned they will not be satisfied with a compromise. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10638-2001Jul2.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn