Giffords Calls for Moving Forward with Life-Saving Research

Giffords Calls for Moving Forward with Life-Saving Research

Congressional Candidate Gabrielle Giffords today called for the repeal of President Bush's policies that unwisely limit potentially life-saving stem cell research.

"The biggest obstacle to furthering stem cell research and potentially life-saving science is an Administration that plays politics with science," said Giffords. "A majority of Americans recognize that stem cell research is a vital step in the development of lifesaving medical treatments to find cures for diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's."

An expansion of stem cell research is important because the current policy is outdated and creates arbitrary obstacles to important medical advancements. The current narrow policy on the number of stem cell lines available for research prevents work on curing dozens of diseases and limits the number of people who could be helped by expanded research. US scientists and researchers are in jeopardy of falling behind other nations if our policy is not expanded.

Randy Graf is far outside the mainstream on this issue. In a recent Tucson Weekly article, Graf stated that he opposes federal funding for stem cell research. Graf would stand behind President Bush instead of representing the views of Arizona families who want this critical research to move forward.

"Denying families the access to this life-saving science is against common sense," said Rodd McLeod, Giffords' campaign manager. "Whether he is proposing the elimination of Medicare or opposing the right to choose, even in cases of rape and incest, Randy Graf is simply out of touch with mainstream Arizona. Gabrielle Giffords knows that change can't wait and she will make the passage of stem cell legislation an important priority when she gets to Congress."

http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/2006/09/28/giffords-calls-for-moving-forward-with-life-saving-research/