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Monday, June 26, 2006 - DANGEROUS DECOYS: New Ways to Attack Embryonic Stem Cell Research A few weeks from today, Senate Bill 471, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (Castle/DeGette, HR 810) will come at last to the floor of the United States Senate. That the bill is moving forward at all, after being "buried" more than a year, is a tribute to the power of the stem cell research advocacy community. But the battle is not over. Two decoy bills are ready to destroy it, homing in like guided missiles. The legislative weapons are: Senate Bill 2754, (Santorum/Specter) the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act; Senate Bill 3504, (Santorum/Brownback) the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act. These two bills might well be called the "At-Risk Republican Publicity Acts". Senator Rick Santorum, whose name is on both bills, has been called the most at-risk Republican in the Senate. Recent polls show him14 percentage points behind conservative Democrat Bob Casey. Another at-risk Republican is Sam Brownback, whose Presidential campaign, I am told, recently surged to a 1% support level. The first bill, S. 2754, Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, gives an initial appearance of rationality. Its stated purpose is "to derive. stem cell lines without. harming embryos". Let's see, hmm. could that include something called adult stem cell research, already funded at a rate many times greater than embryonic? It also includes the other alternative (and unproven) methods which supposedly do not destroy an embryo. Some begin with a defective embryo; others remove cells from viable embryos; the difference impresses almost no one. Even the Religious Right (the method was developed in hopes of pleasing them) does not fully endorse them. A useless bill, S. 2754 offers no new money at all; the research it "supports" is already eligible for funding. So what is its purpose? Why does it exist? S. 2754 offers political cover for research opponents. Despite an avalanche of anti-research propaganda, polls show almost three out of four Americans (72%) support embryonic stem cell research. So, what is an enemy of research to do? They could change their minds, which is not illegal. A car even has a steering wheel in it, so people can change directions. Some never will be able to change their minds. Like believers in the Flat Earth theory, who cannot accept Columbus, and just keep muttering about the dangers of ships falling off the edge of the world if they go too far, there will always be a fanatic few who simply cannot adjust to new information. They will grow old wheezing the same tired lies about adult stem cell research is all you need.Their reward will be irrelevancy. Others try desperately to have it both ways. Like cockroaches scrambling to avoid the light, these enemies of research are running for political cover. For them, S. 2754 is a place to hide, a meaningless "yes" vote, to cover for their attack on a small but positive bill; when asked how they could possibly vote against HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, they can say, "Oh, I support stem cell research! I voted for S. 2754!" And all the while, of course, they can brag to their anti-research contributors how they are stalwart warriors against embryonic stem cell research. So what is research champion Senator Arlen Specter's name doing on a bill like this? Specter co-authored S 2754 as a favor to Santorum, his fellow Pennsylvanian. Senator Specter is doubtless responsible for the one good thing in an otherwise value-less bill. Read the following paragraph; it will be important later on. "Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any policy, guideline, or regulation regarding embryonic stem cell research, human cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer, or any other research not specifically authorized by this section." The other bill? Far worse. Senate Bill 3504, "The Fetus Farming Prohibition Act" is a horror show: designed for those who believe scientists are really Dr. Frankenstein's descendants, eternally eager to create monsters. Its co-author, Sam Brownback (R-KS) is the man who wants to put scientists, doctors, patients and parents in jail, for Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) research. Imagine: if my paralyzed son goes to England for an SCNT treatment, (the government supports it over there) when he comes back, kindly Senator Sam would send him to jail for ten years! If I paid the bill, I get to go to jail too. Oh, and we each pay a fine of one million dollars. If we were scientists or doctors, all of our medical equipment would be confiscated as well. Does America need protection against fetus-farming mad scientists? Well, let's consider for a moment, how many scientists advocate fetus farming? Take a moment, no rush-can't think of a name? Maybe that's because there aren't any. Brownback's law attacks a non-existent threat, like immigration restrictions against two-headed people-- "Two-headed people are taking your jobs, America! Their double brains give them an unfair advantage!"-- or a ban on interplanetary terrorism-"We must colonize Mars for pre-emptive strikes against the evil inhabitants- before the Moon Men attack us first!" What goals does S 3504 actually advance? It may help the Presidential aspirations of Senator Sam, who would doubtless love to say, he "saved America from the threat of fetus farms". Senator Sam, the fetus farm man. Second, the bill would establish a legal precedent, hugely important in matters of law. For the first time in our country's history, a law would criminalize scientific research. Once this is done, the next time is easier. Finally, S 3504 offers new grounds for lawsuits to: 1. stop embryonic stem cell research; 2. criminalize Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer; 3. ban chimeric research; 4. close In Vitro Fertility clinics. Look at just one sentence from the bill: "..It shall be unlawful for any person or entity. to . accept a donation of human fetal tissue knowing that a human pregnancy was deliberately initiated to provide such tissue." (emphasis added-dr) Are not human pregnancies deliberately initiated in In Vitro Fertility (IVF) clinics? Brownback is a known opponent of in vitro fertility clinics and procedures. He also regards embryonic stem cell research as experimentation on unborn babies. His scientific understanding seems to my eyes to be purely controlled by his religious background. He has every right to his faith; but I question his right to impose it on me. For example, the Senator seems unable (or unwilling) to see a distinction between stem cells in a dish of water and a baby in a mother's womb. To me, stem cells are incredibly valuable as a source of hope, to ease suffering and save lives; to Brownback, those microscopic specks are voters: and probably conservatives. Given his beliefs, can anyone doubt he would use such a bill to advance his campaign to stop embryonic stem cell research? It is important to remember, Brownback is no clown. Even the most ridiculous causes can be brilliantly defended, and he does. Politically, the man is cunning and intelligent; we ignore him at our peril. His speeches and political machinations would earn him an ovation from Macchiavelli, the Middle Ages "win at any cost" political strategist. Look at that inflammatory title. "The Fetus Farming Prohibition Act". even knowing it is nonsense, this will be a hard bill to vote against. Think about it: does any Senator want to be considered in favor of fetus farms, even ones that don't exist? It is like the old question, have you stopped beating your spouse? There is no right answer. If you say yes, you are admitting you once did beat your spouse; if you say no, it means you still do. So what is to be done about this "Fetus Farming anti-Moon Men Interplanetary Terrorism Two-Headed Immigrant Ban"? Ideally, the entire Senate should throw the foolishness out, as too asinine to consider. If that is politically impossible, I have a small suggestion. Ask Senator Sam if he would allow a friendly amendment: to insert into S 3504 language from the other bill by his co-author, fellow conservative Rick Santorum. "Nothing in this section shall. affect any policy, guideline, or regulation regarding embryonic stem cell research, . somatic cell nuclear transfer, or any other research." Since the bill is supposed to be about fetus farms, not stem cells, he should have no objections. With that small change, the bill can be debated as a genuine anti-fetus farm bill, to be accepted or rejected on its own merits, such as they are. If he says no, he admits his own agenda, and is condemned from his own mouth. Senator Sam Brownback brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm 303 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6521 Fax: (202) 228-1265 Below are the texts of both bills. Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act (Introduced in Senate) S 2754 IS 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2754 To derive human pluripotent stem cell lines using techniques that do not knowingly harm embryos. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 5, 2006 Mr. SANTORUM (for himself and Mr. SPECTER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To derive human pluripotent stem cell lines using techniques that do not knowingly harm embryos. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act'. SEC. 2. PURPOSES. It is the purpose of this Act to-- (1) intensify research that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions; and (2) promote the derivation of pluripotent stem cell lines, including from postnatal sources, without creating human embryos for research purposes or discarding, destroying, or knowingly harming a human embryo or fetus. SEC. 3. ALTERNATIVE HUMAN PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL RESEARCH. Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 498C the following: `SEC. 409J. ALTERNATIVE HUMAN PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL RESEARCH. `(a) In General- In accordance with section 492, the Secretary shall conduct and support basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that, like embryonic stem cells, are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body and may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but are not derived from a human embryo. `(b) Guidelines- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, after consultation with the Director, shall issue final guidelines to implement subsection (a), that-- `(1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research, which shall include a determination of the extent to which specific techniques may require additional basic or animal research to ensure that any research involving human cells using these techniques would clearly be consistent with the standards established under this section; `(2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and `(3) consistent with subsection (a), take into account techniques outlined by the President's Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research. `(c) Reporting Requirements- Not later than January 1 of each year, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report describing the activities carried out under this section during the fiscal year, including a description of the research conducted under this section. `(d) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any policy, guideline, or regulation regarding embryonic stem cell research, human cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer, or any other research not specifically authorized by this section. `(e) Definition- `(1) IN GENERAL- In this section, the term `human embryo' shall have the meaning given such term in the applicable appropriations Act. `(2) APPLICABLE ACT- For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `applicable appropriations Act' means, with respect to the fiscal year in which research is to be conducted or supported under this section, the Act making appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services for such fiscal year, except that if the Act for such fiscal year does not contain the term referred to in paragraph (1), the Act for the previous fiscal year shall be deemed to be the applicable appropriations Act. `(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2009, to carry out this section.'. Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006 (Introduced in Senate) S 3504 IS 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3504 To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the solicitation or acceptance of tissue from fetuses gestated for research purposes, and for other purposes. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 13, 2006 Mr. SANTORUM (for himself and Mr. BROWNBACK) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the solicitation or acceptance of tissue from fetuses gestated for research purposes, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006'. SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF THE SOLICITATION OR ACCEPTANCE OF TISSUE FROM FETUSES GESTATED FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES. Section 498B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 289g-2) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: `(c) Solicitation or Acceptance of Tissue From Fetuses Gestated for Research Purposes- It shall be unlawful for any person or entity involved or engaged in interstate commerce to-- `(1) solicit or knowingly acquire, receive, or accept a donation of human fetal tissue knowing that a human pregnancy was deliberately initiated to provide such tissue; or `(2) knowingly acquire, receive, or accept tissue or cells obtained from a human embryo or fetus that was gestated in the uterus of a nonhuman animal.'; (3) in paragraph (1) of subsection (d), as so re-designated, by striking `(a) or (b)' and inserting `(a), (b), or (c)'; and (4) in paragraph (1) of subsection (e), as so redesignated, by striking `section 498A(f)' and inserting `section 498A(g)'. By Don Reed, www.stemcellbattles.com Submit Questions or Comments ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn