PRESS RELEASE: SPAIN: Embryonic Stem Cell Misinformation
To: Interested Parties
From: Bush-Cheney '04 Communications
Date: 10/4/04
Re: Embryonic Stem Cell Misinformation
John Kerry has made a repeated effort to mislead the press and the public on the
reality of the new federal funding for stem cell research that the President
announced in August 2001. Both Kerry and Edwards have repeatedly referred to
the President's policy as a "ban" on stem cell research.
Numerous media outlets have adopted their language, referring to the President's
new funding as a ban, or saying that the President took steps to limit federal funding
without mentioning that the President announced the first ever federal funding of
stem cell research. These characterizations are inaccurate or incomplete, and
misinform the public on the reality of the policy.
The Facts Are:
President Bush delivered the first funding ever for embryonic stem cell research.
Prior to the President's announcement of new funding, federal funding of embryonic
stem cell research was $0.
The President's announcement did not ban, limit or restrict stem cell research.
It is inaccurate to say the President "limited federal funding" of stem cell research,
as such funding did not exist to limit. This language misleads voters to believe that
the President put restrictions on existing federal funding.
The President did announce the first ever federal funding of stem cell research with
ethical requirements on which stem cell lines are funded.
The new federal funding that the President announced did not include funds to
research stem cell lines from embryos that had not already been destroyed.
John Kerry's Effort To Mislead On Stem Cell Research:
Kerry: "Three Years Ago, The President Enacted A Far-Reaching Ban On Stem Cell
Research." KERRY: "Three years ago, the President enacted a far-reaching ban on
stem cell research, shutting down some of the most promising work to prevent, treat
and cure Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, AIDS and so many other life-
threatening diseases." (Sen. John Kerry, Democratic Response To The President's
Weekly Radio Address, 8/7/04)
2001 Coverage Of Stem Cell Decision:
The Boston Globe: Bush Administration Announced “First Federal Grants For
Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” “The Bush administration announced yesterday
that the first federal grants for embryonic stem cell research could be issued next
January, breathing life into a sluggish but highly promising field of medicine now
dominated by a few private companies.” (Raja Mishra And Anthony Shadid, “Stem
Cell Grants Could Begin In Jan.,” The Boston Globe, 8/11/01)
USA Today: President Bush Announced “He Will Allow Federal Funding” For
Research On Embryonic Stem Cells. “President Bush announced Thursday that he
will allow federal funding for a limited amount of research on embryonic stem cells,
in a compromise decision he said does not cross ‘a fundamental moral line.’” (Mimi
Hall, “Bush OKs Limited Stem-Cell Funding,” USA Today, 8/10/01)
Los Angeles Times: President Bush Announces He Will “Allow The Federal
Government To Fund Medical Research That Uses Stem Cells.” “President Bush,
seeking a compromise in the most politically charged issue of his administration,
announced Thursday that he would allow the federal government to fund medical
research that uses stem cells taken from a limited number of human embryos.”
(Aaron Zitner and Edwin Chen, “Bush OKs Limited Stem Cell Funding,” Los Angeles
Times, 8/10/01)
The Associated Press: “President Bush Announced Thursday That He Will Allow
Federal Funding” For Research On Stem Cells. “‘Stem cell research is something I
deeply believe in for myself and the millions of other people who could benefit,’
Moore said before President Bush announced Thursday that he will allow federal
funding for limited medical research on stem cells extracted from human embryos.”
(Anthony Breznican, “Support Of Outspoken Celebrities Makes Stem Cell Research
Hollywood's Latest Social Cause,” The Associated Press, 8/10/01)
2004 Inaccurate Stem Cell Media Reports:
ABC: "It Was Exactly Three Years Ago Today That President Bush Restricted
Research Using Embryonic Cells." VARGAS: "Turning to the campaign trail today.
Many believe such research could hold a cure for diseases like Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's. It was exactly three years ago today that President Bush restricted
research using embryonic cells. The Democrats are hitting him hard on that all this
week. Here's ABC's John Cochran." (ABC's "World News Tonight," 8/9/04)
NBC: "Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Which The President Opposes." BROKAW:
"The White House says there was no discussion of their disagreement over
embryonic stem cell research, which the President opposes and Mrs. Reagan very
publicly supports. The White House says Mrs. Reagan did express her full support
of the President's campaign for reelection as President." (NBC's "Nightly News,"
8/12/04)
The Associated Press: "What The President Has Done Is Limit The Research."
“With polls showing overwhelming support for stem cell research, Kerry has
promised to give scientists more freedom. He has used the word ban to describe
Bush's actions when what the president has done is limit the research.” (Ron
Fournier, “First Lady Bashes Kerry Stem Cell Stance,” The Associated Press,
8/9/04)
The Washington Post: "President Bush's Decision To Limit Federal Embryonic Stem
Cell Research." "Seizing an issue with overwhelming bipartisan support, the Kerry
campaign is marking the third anniversary of President Bush's decision to limit
federal embryonic stem cell research with a series of high-profile events this week
that call into question the administration's commitment to science and breakthrough
medicine." (Ceci Connolly, "Kerry Takes On Issue Of Embryo Research," The
Washington Post, 8/8/04)
The New York Times: Laura Bush Defends "The Limits Her Husband Had Imposed
On Embryonic Stem Cell Research." "Venturing forcefully into one of the more
contentious issues of the campaign, Laura Bush on Monday defended the limits her
husband had imposed on embryonic stem cell research and criticized those who
suggested that the research could lead quickly to cures for Alzheimer's and other
diseases. …Mrs. Bush spoke on the third anniversary of President Bush's decision
to limit federal financing for embryonic stem cell research to the 78 stem cell lines in
existence at the time and as the issue moved to the forefront of the campaign."
(Randy Kennedy, "First Lady Defends Limits On Stem Cell Research," The New
York Times, 8/10/04)
Los Angeles Times: "President Bush's Ban On Embryonic Stem Cell Research."
"Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry vowed Saturday that he would lift
President Bush's ban on embryonic stem cell research, declaring that 'here in
America, we don't sacrifice science for ideology.'" (Lisa Getter, "Kerry Decries Stem
Cell Limits, Promises Funding," Los Angeles Times, 8/8/04)
USA Today: Ron Reagan Will "Make The Case For Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
That President Bush Has Limited." "He was the most unlikely speaker of the night at
the Democratic National Convention: Ron Reagan. The son of the president who
has become a Republican icon was given a prized prime-time speaking slot to make
the case for embryonic stem-cell research that President Bush has limited." (Susan
Page, "Reagan: 'Cast A Vote' For Stem-Cell Research," USA Today, 7/28/04)
Boston Globe Editorial: "The Ban On Federal Funding Of Stem Cell Research." "On
Monday night, Hillary Clinton received one of her loudest cheers at the Democratic
National Convention when she called for an end to the ban on federal funding of
stem cell research." ("Ron Reagan's Question," Editorial, The Boston Globe,
7/28/04)
CNN: "And Finally, Today Marks The Three-Year Anniversary Of President Bush's
Ban On Some Federally-Funded Stem Cell Research." (Carol Costello, CNN's
"American Morning," 8/9/04)
BBC Correspondent Labeled Bush Administration Stem Cell Policy A "Ban On Stem
Cell Research." KAY: "I think this is much harder for President Bush. And you've
had three dozen Republican congressmen, 48 Nobel laureates in science coming
out and saying that the ban on stem cell research has to be overturned as well. Ron
Reagan is not by himself. There's a broad body..." (NBC's "The Chris Matthews
Show," 7/18/04)
CNN: Bush Administration's Policy Is To "Limit Federal Funding Of Stem Cell
Research." WALLACE: "A senior Kerry adviser says Ron Reagan's decision to
speak at the Democratic Convention will have, quote, 'big appeal to independents.'
Reagan has been an outspoken critic of President Bush on many issues including
his decision to limit federal funding of stem cell research." (CNNFN's "Market Call,"
7/12/04)
Los Angeles Times: "Limited Federal Support For Stem Cell Research." "The
president did not mention another major cause for religious conservatives: limiting
federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The issue has proven complicated
for Republicans in the wake of the death of former President Reagan, who suffered
from Alzheimer's, and his son's appearance at the Democratic convention attacking
the limited federal support for stem cell research." (Peter Wallsten, "Bush Touches
Base With His Core Supporters," Los Angeles Times, 8/4/04)
United Press International: "President Bush's Partial Ban On Embryonic-Stem-Cell
Research." "The hot-button political issue of life and its origins came to the fore
Monday as the Kerry-Edwards campaign commemorated the 'sad anniversary' of
President Bush's partial ban on embryonic-stem-cell research, a decision
Democrats charge was inappropriately based on the president's personal moral
imperatives." (Marie Horrigan, "GOP: Dems 'Dishonest' On Stem-Cell Issue," United
Press International, 8/9/04)
St. Petersburg Times: "President Bush's Ban On Stem Cell Research." "The three
Democrats delivered their standard stump speeches about education, the economy
and health care. And for the most part, they agreed. They oppose a constitutional
ban on gay marriages. They oppose President Bush's ban on stem cell research.
They oppose tax breaks for the rich." (Anita Kumar, "Unified Front Belies Rancor,"
St. Petersburg Times, 8/4/04)
San Antonio Express Editorial: "The Misguided Ban On Federal Funding Of Stem
Cell Research." "Reagan's moving appeal to the nation may help put an end to the
misguided ban on federal funding of stem cell research, which Reagan correctly
said may be 'the greatest medical breakthrough in our or in any lifetime.'" (Editorial,
"Regan Makes His Point," San Antonio Express-News, 7/29/04)
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland): "The Bush Ban On Embryonic Stem Cell Research."
"Ron Reagan, the outspoken son of the late Republican President Ronald Reagan,
made a case for ending the Bush ban on embryonic stem cell research that might
cure Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and other illnesses." (Stephen Koff,
"For Party Faithful, Visions Of Hope," The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 7/28/04)
Orlando Sentinel: "President Bush's Ban On New Embryonic Stem-Cell Research."
"He also called for increasing research into cures for debilitating diseases and for
overturning President Bush's ban on new embryonic stem-cell research." (Robyn
Shelton, "Kerry Vows To Overhaul Health Care," Orlando Sentinel, 7/27/04)
Kansas City Star: "Third Anniversary Of President Bush's Decision To Limit Federal
Embryonic Stem Cell Research." "The Kerry campaign is marking the third
anniversary of President Bush's decision to limit federal embryonic stem cell
research by questioning the administration's commitment to science." ("Democrats
Criticize Stem Cell Restrictions," The Kansas City Star, 8/8/04)
SOURCE: noticias.info (press release), Spain
http://www.noticias.info/Asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=35017&src=0
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