Murphy Votes to Protect Unborn Life

Murphy Votes to Protect Unborn Life

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation which would mandate the use of federal tax dollars to fund the use of human embryos for scientific research. Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 3, after asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi to delay the vote to give Congress time to review new science relating to amniotic stems cells, which does not involve the destruction of human embryos.

"I believe life begins at conception, others do not," said Congressman Murphy. "If we are to err, I believe it is better to err on the side of caution. Research has indicated that adult stem cells can be used for at least 72 different treatments. Other research indicates that there is great promise in the use of amniotic stem cells. However, after 20 years of research there is no indication that embryonic stem cells can ever be used to treat human patients.

"Federal law does not limit embryonic stem cell research through academia, individual states, or private companies. Nothing is stopping research from occurring in this field. When it comes to spending federal tax dollars into stem cell research, we must find a way to do so in a fair and just way. Our first priority must be to do no harm. How can we possibly rush this week to pass legislation that will destroy human embryos when there is a great deal of research that Congress must review?"

This week's scientific breakthrough was announced in which stem cells taken from amniotic fluid have the ability to develop into human tissue. These amniotic stem cells have the potential to develop human brain, muscle, bone, liver, and other cells. The cells can be used to treat birth defects in newborns, frozen for personal use later on in life, placed in a bank for use by the entire population, or used for advancing research. In response to the development, Congressman Murphy and other members of the Medical and Dental Doctors in Congress Caucus sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi asking her to delay today's vote in order for Congress to gather more information.

"The potential to develop human brain, muscle, bone, liver, and other cells from amniotic stem cells should be fully investigated before taking action on legislation that could destroy human life. These types of advances bring real hope to millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases; individuals who are praying daily for a cure. It is for this reason we believe the American public deserves stem cell legislation to go through regular order so that all aspects of this debate can be scrutinized in the light of day," Congressman Murphy wrote. "The reality of H.R. 3 is that taxpayer dollars will be used to aid in the destruction of human embryos, without any definite scientific gain. This is a debate that should be entered into with the reverence due the sanctity of life. Therefore we ask that you reconsider your decision to take action on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act."

http://murphy.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55302