Foxx Challenges Embryonic Stem Cell Research Claims

FOXX CHALLENGES EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH CLAIMS

Tuesday March 07, 2006

Hearing sheds light on why human cloning and embryonic stem cell research are unethical

WASHINGTON -- United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) participated in a hearing this afternoon to investigate claims of exploitation, fraud and ethical problems in Human Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell Research. The hearing was sponsored by the Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, of which Rep. Foxx is a member.

Foxx, an ardent supporter of the right to life, has been a vocal critic of embryonic stem cell research. She has also had ongoing discussions with pastors and other constituents throughout the district who care deeply about protecting human life.

"This hearing was very important because it further illustrated that embryonic stem cell research is unethical and unnecessary," said Rep. Foxx. "We examined a case that had been touted by the national media and other interest groups as the major ‘success story' for human cloning and stem cell research. And it turned out to be a sham."

Today's hearing focused on a recent scandal in South Korea. In 2004, prominent scientist Woo Suk Hwang published a paper in the U.S. journal, Science, claiming to have produced the world's first embryonic stem cell line from a cloned human embryo. One year later, Hwang published another article in Science claiming to have successfully created 11 patient-specific embryonic stem cell lines from cloned embryos.

However, in November 2005, Hwang admitted that he lied about the way he obtained eggs for his research. He acknowledged that many women were paid large sums of money for their eggs, and female assistants were coerced to "donate" their eggs for the stem cell and cloning research.

In addition to these problems, questions about fraud in the underlying science arose. As of mid-January, Hwang's two groundbreaking papers were retracted by Science. The publication determined that a significant amount of data was "fabricated" and "invalid."

During the hearing, Foxx interrogated the panelists about how such fraud could occur.

"Human cloning and embryonic stem cell research just do not make sense," said Rep. Foxx. "Some of our local scientists at places like the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have proven that adult stem cells can be used successfully to treat medical conditions - without the destruction of human life. It is time that we end the destructive practice of embryonic stem cell research."

http://www.foxx.house.gov/index.cfm?ContentID=392&ParentID=3&SectionID=4&SectionTree=3,4&lnk=b&ItemID=385