Carter Votes To Preserve Life

CARTER VOTES TO PRESERVE LIFE

House Conference Secretary John Carter (TX-31) today voted against H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. This bill would mandate federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research.

"We need to protect the sanctity of human life at all stages, and although I support amniotic and adult stem cell research, I do not believe we should sacrifice one life to save another," Carter said. "Recently, we learned of a new breakthrough in medical research that would allow for amniotic stem cells to be used in place of embryonic stem cells. The Democratic agenda forced a vote that would provide government funds for embryonic stem cell research without considering any alternative."

"I believe very strongly that life begins at conception, and that we must respect all human life," Carter continued. "I am willing to reach across the aisle and work with my Democratic colleagues, but not at the expense of American lives."

Congressman Carter, a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, supported the Republican motion which would have restricted any entity receiving funding under H.R. 3 from also performing embryonic stem cell research on stem cells derived from human cloning. This motion seeks to safeguard and clarify the ethical parameters of H.R. 3, so that embryos will not be created specifically in order to be designated and consequently destroyed for research purposes.

http://carter.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55305