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Congressional delegation divided on stem cell issue Thursday, July 5, 2001 LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Members of the Arkansas Congressional delegation are divided on in the issue of federal funding for projects that include embryonic stem cell research. President George W. Bush is set to announce this month whether he will uphold a ban on funding projects that include the research. Republican House leaders have urged the Bush administration to support the ban. They oppose the research funding because human embryos are destroyed to extract stem cells -- master cells that can be grown into virtually any tissue in the human body. Scientists say treatments developed through stem cell research have the potential to save millions of lives, and perhaps cure such disorders as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and paralysis from spinal injury. The Bush administration is searching for a compromise that would allow the research but satisfy concerns. ush spokesman Ari Fleischer has said the president has not yet made up his mind on the issue, which generally pits scientists against abortion opponents. The science community argues that embryonic stem cells have more potential for treatments and cures than do the less-flexible cells taken from adult tissue. Abortion opponents say adult stem cells hold great promise and don't involve destroying life. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., said she supports the research. "Because stem-cell research holds great promise for the fight against these chronic and debilitating human illnesses, I believe the federal government must make every effort to ensure stem-cell research is conducted in an ethical legal manner," she said. "Federal funding will provide oversight and direction that would be lacking if this research were the sole province of private sources of funding." Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., agreed. Snyder is a family physician. "I don't think the way it is being conducted or is being considered being conducted, there is anything immoral about it," he said. But Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., said he is adamantly opposed to the research. Hutchinson said his position is "consistent with the protections this nation has historically provided to human life." His brother, Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., said he does not yet have an opinion on the issue. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark. is also undecided on the issue. Fellow Democrat Rep. Mike Ross said a recent visit with juvenile diabetes patient in Hot Springs reinforced his support for the research. http://www.thecabin.net/stories/070501/sta_0705010046.shtml * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn