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New Kerry Ad Focuses On Stem Cell Research The Associated Press Monday, October 4, 2004 (10-04) 10:35 PDT (AP) -- Details of a new television ad from Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry to begin airing this week: TITLE: "Stem Cell." LENGTH: 30 seconds. PRODUCER: Shrum, Devine, Donilon and Squier, Knapp, Dunn. AIRING: Local media markets where Kerry is on the air. SCRIPT: Kerry: "It's time to lift the political barriers blocking the stem cell research that could treat or cure diseases like Parkinson's. I believe that science can bring hope to our families. I want America to lead the world in the medical breakthroughs of the future. There's no time to wait. At stake are millions of lives. I'm John Kerry and I approved this message because America can do better. It's time to take America in a new direction." Announcer: "John Kerry for President." KEY IMAGES: Kerry speaking to viewers. Among the images are doctors working in laboratories, families and the familiar spiral of the DNA double helix. ANALYSIS: The ad's release is timed with Kerry's campaign appearance in New Hampshire on Monday in which the Democratic nominee criticized President Bush's policies on embryonic stem cell research and promised, if elected, to spend more federal dollars on the scientific study. The ad does not mention Bush's actions to curb the science but does hint at them as Kerry says at the start of the ad that he wants to "lift the political barriers blocking" it. Bush has prohibited federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001. The "politics" that Kerry mentions involve some of Bush's biggest supporters -- religious and conservative groups -- many of whom are the strongest opponents to the research because days-old embryos are destroyed. Bush limited federal funding to the 78 stem cell lines in existence on Aug. 9, 2001. Only a fraction of those initial 78 stem cell lines -- 21 at last count -- are yet available to researchers because of problems with the lines' growth or their ownership. In March, a National Institutes of Health count cast doubt on how many ultimately would be usable. The Bush-Cheney campaign says the decision shows an ethical commitment to conducting the research and does not prohibit the therapy. Although it doesn't offer any specifics, the ad alludes to Kerry's pledge to fund more scientific work in general, including stem cell research, which could treat numerable diseases. Kerry said Monday that he would earmark $100 million a year to stem cell research and strict ethical oversight. Images of doctors in laboratories and graphics of molecules and DNA emphasize the science behind the research instead of the religious and political overtones that normally cloud the debate. Analysis by Emily Fredrix, Associated Press writer SOURCE: The San Francisco Chronicle, CA http://tinyurl.com/4bfwu * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn