Foxx Opposes Expanded Federal Funding For Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Press Release
Foxx Opposes Expanded Federal Funding For Embryonic Stem Cell Research
U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx today voted against stem cell research that requires the destruction of human embryos. Her vote came in opposition to the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5) which would grant federal money to expand the number of stem cell lines for research that uses human embryos.
"We should not be giving taxpayer dollars to support a practice that is unethical, devalues human life and is opposed by tens of millions of Americans," Rep. Foxx said. "I support stem cell research that does not take human life, and since embryonic stem cell destroys human embryos I cannot support it."
Embryonic stem cell research is currently legal and receives federal taxpayer funding. Under current guidelines, the NIH spends roughly $600 million per year on stem cell research, including $40 million for research involving human embryonic stem cells and nearly $100 million for non-human embryonic stem cell research.
"Taxpayers are already paying their fair share for research that many find to be morally repugnant," Foxx said. "Considering the very promising breakthroughs in stem cell research that do not require the destruction of human embryos, I think we should pursue other avenues for federal funding of stem cell research."
Advances in medical science as recent as this week are providing ways to do stem cell research without destroying human embryos. Today the New York Times reported a major breakthrough that could change patients' skin cells into stem cells. The Times writes that the "surprising advance that could sidestep the ethical debates surrounding stem cell biology."
Under the current federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research, only stem cell lines derived before August 9, 2001, are eligible for federally funded research. This bill lifts that restriction. Stem cell lines would be eligible for federally funded research regardless of the date on which they were derived. The bill passed the House of Representatives and now faces a potential presidential veto.
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