Stem Cell Bill Lags behind Science, Won’t Become Law (Rep. Joe Pitts)

Another day, another vote on legislation that has no chance of becoming law. Everyone understands that S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, is destined to be vetoed. And today’s vote in the House shows, yet again, that proponents of the bill lack the votes needed to override a veto.

But if nothing else, today’s debate is at least an opportunity to educate people on the truth about stem cell research. Supporters of embryo-destroying stem cell research would have you believe that embryonic stem cell research is the only way to go. That’s just not true. Not only are there ethical alternatives that use adult stem cells, but these ethical alternatives are proving to be more effective than the embryo-destroying methods promoted by S. 5.

Adult stem cells can be derived from numerous places, including nasal tissue, bone marrow, fat tissue, umbilical cord blood, and even amniotic fluid. These ethical adult stem cells have already produced dozens of laboratory successes and even a handful of FDA-approved therapies. Meanwhile, embryonic stem cell research has yet to produce a single cure in humans. It’s time for Congress to catch up with science.