Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Research: Ethical and Morally Acceptable (Rep. Jeff Miller)

I support President Bush’s veto Wednesday.

I believe an embryo is a human being from the moment of fertilization; therefore, I consider embryonic stem cell research to be unethical and morally unacceptable.  I am hopeful that the medical community will be able to develop techniques using stem cells to solve many of today’s major medical problems without taking the life of an unborn child or using discarded embryos. We should recognize the advantages of adult stem cell research and treatments that are already being utilized today.

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 322, Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act of 2007, which will accelerate federal funding for non-embryonic pluripotent stem cell research. Pluripotential refers to self-replicating human stem cells that are known to develop into cells and tissues of the three primary germ layers, the same primary layers of cells in the embryo from which all tissues and organs develop. This funding will enable the medical community to continue this cutting-edge research without the destruction of embryos or the farming of embryos for the purpose of destroying them.