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“Stem Cells” Debut in SOTU: Bush Knows Better Than Scientists
We reported yesterday that President Bush had never bothered to mention some key scientific policy issues in previous State of the Union Speeches. It was particularly surprising (to the Intersection as well) to note that the phrase “stem cells” never made it into the yearly address–until last night, when the President implied, not so subtly, that only policy makers, not scientists, can understand morality:
BUSH: On matters of life and science, we must trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries.
In November, we witnessed a landmark achievement when scientists discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells.
This breakthrough has the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human life.
(APPLAUSE)
BUSH: So we’re expanding funding for this type of ethical medical research. And, as we explore promising avenues of research, we must also ensure that all life treated with the dignity it deserves.
This is not the first time that we have noted such a tone emanating from the White House. When NIH Director Dr. Elias Zerhouni called for more embryonic stem cell research in October, spokesman Tony Fratto said that the president must “draw the line in a different place than Dr. Zerhouni” because he has to take into account “moral and religious views.”
In finally talking about stem cells during the State of the Union, the President thought it best to use his national soapbox to suggest that scientists are bent on disrespecting moral boundaries visible only from his high office. But this could not be further from the truth. The President grossly misrepresents the scientific community by assuming that just because a scientist supports stem cell research that he or she has no respect for human life. Dr. James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who lead one of the teams that created induced pluripotent stem cells last November (and still finds embryonic stem cell research necessary) told the New York Times in November:
“If human embryonic stem cell research does not make you at least a little bit uncomfortable, you have not thought about it enough,” he said. “I thought long and hard about whether I would do it.”
Scientists and ethicists carefully consider their approval of embryonic stem cell research. Thomson and fellow scientist Alan Leshner thoughtfully explained the folly of the Bush Administration policy that withholds funds for much research on human embryonic stem in a December editorial for the Washington Post. Previous work on hES cells paved the way for the iPS breakthrough, they noted.
iPS cells are by no means a substitute for embryonic stem cells, which remain the gold standard for pluripotency and scientific potential.
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