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Debate Focuses on Stem Cells Duckworth Wants Restrictions Loosened; Roskam Says Other Research is Better
DuPage,Cook
Chicago Daily Herald
14 June 2006
The question of using embryonic stem cells for medical research is proving another litmus test in the 6th Congressional District.
At a news conference Tuesday, Democratic candidate Tammy Duckworth called for action on a measure in Congress loosening restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell studies.
"Science and hope are two things I believe in strongly. Unfortunately, they're in shorter supply than they should be," said Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran from Hoffman Estates.
Her Republican opponent, state Sen. Peter Roskam, opposes using embryonic stem cells, arguing that scientific investigations using adult stem cells have yielded better results.
"It is my intention to focus on this type of research in Congress which is producing results for Americans who are afflicted with these diseases," the Wheaton resident said.
"We cannot leave our moral obligations at the laboratory door and take one human life and cast it aside for the benefit of another."
The two candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde.
Stem cells have the ability to renew themselves by division and can adapt to different functions in the body. Scientists have hopes they can be used to treat maladies such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes and heart disease.
Adult stem cells are used in procedures such as bone marrow transplants. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that were produced in fertility clinics through in-vitro procedures
Last year, the House passed a bill easing limits the president placed on federal aid for embryonic stem cell research in 2001.
Pressure is mounting on Senate President Bill Frist to bring the policy to a vote although President Bush has threatened a veto.
Duckworth said the issue is "about saving lives."
"Embryonic stem cells have the potential to be anything. Adult stem cells are of some use, but they don't hold out the hope embryonic stem cells do.
"President Bush should leave stem cell research up to the scientists," Duckworth said.
Roskam, who opposed funding for embryonic stem cell studies in the state Senate, said the utility of such research is questionable.
"I support adult and umbilical cord stem cell research that has yielded 65 known cures or successful human therapies for such diseases as multiple sclerosis, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis and even Parkinson's disease," Roskam said in an e-mail.
The 6th District includes portions of southwest Cook and northeast DuPage counties.
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