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Published Friday, July 6, 2001 Wellstone urges Bush to allow federal funding of stem cell research Statewire WASHINGTON (AP) -- Citing his own family history, Sen. Paul Wellstone urged President Bush on Friday to allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Wellstone, a Minnesota Democrat, suggested that the research could help find cures for diseases like Parkinson's Disease, which afflicted his late parents. "This disease destroyed my dad," Wellstone wrote in a letter to the president. "When he could no longer walk or even talk, he lost his will to live. I hope and pray this will not be the fate of those struggling with Parkinson's Disease today." President Bush is expected to decide later this month whether to allow federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. Some anti-abortion lawmakers oppose the research because gathering the stem cells -- master cells that can be grown into virtually any tissue in the human body -- requires the death of a human embryo. But others, such as Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a prominent abortion opponent, support the research. Wellstone said that the research could help save lives, and therefore "upholds the sanctity of human life" -- a phrase used by abortion opponents. Wellstone supports abortion rights. "Mr. President, the health of millions of Americans could depend on the effective and ethical conduct of this potentially lifesaving medical research," he wrote. "I hope you will support the appropriate federal role in its continuation." http://www2.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=84493927 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn