5/27/05 
Rep.
Chris Smith (Center, Podium) speaks to the media with Rep. Artur Davis (Far Left)
about stem cell research alternatives this past Monday at the Cannon House Office
Building. WASHINGTON - A largely unnoticed bill that
would expand research on stem cells culled from umbilical cords, co-sponsored
by a Birmingham congressman, is being promoted as an alternative to the more politically
charged proposal regarding human embryos. The U.S. House of Representatives
will vote this week on expanding and improving both types of medical research,
with each offering hope to cure diseases and save lives. Because embryonic
stem cell research is opposed by those who believe it destroys the potential for
a human life, the cord blood proposal has gained new attention as a way for lawmakers
to back stem cell research without advocating the destruction of embryos. Rep.
Artur Davis of Birmingham is the lead Democratic co-sponsor of the cord blood
proposal but disagrees that it is an alternative to embryonic research, which
he also supports. Davis became a co-sponsor during his freshman term in 2003,
but the proposal has languished until this week. "I think the combination
of these two bills will lead to lives being saved, and that's the most important
thing," Davis said. He'll vote for both stem cell research bills, as will
Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, according to a spokesman. Others in the
delegation find only one type acceptable. Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville;
Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth; and Mike Rogers, R-Anniston, for example, will oppose
the expansion of embryonic stem cell research but support the cord blood bill,
according to their offices. "That's the thing that I think is disconcerting,
that it appears those who are not in favor of embryonic (research) want to go
back to the dark ages," Aderholt said Monday. "We just want to focus
instead on adult stem cell and cord blood because the sources of the stem cells
are noncontroversial." The cord blood bill would authorize $79 million
over five years to increase the number of cord blood units available for transplants
to patients of many types of diseases, such as leukemia and sickle cell anemia.
It would also coordinate the inventory and help doctors match donors with patients.
"I would argue ... that the only way to do it is through the ethical
way and not kill embryos," said Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., and lead
sponsor of the cord blood bill. Conservative religious organizations that
oppose embryonic research also have decided to support the cord blood bill. "We
think the time has run out now for debate because we have the threat of an unethical
and immoral bill passing in the House and that is unacceptable to us," said
the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council. The embryonic
stem cell research bill, which also has Democratic and Republican support, has
been touted as critical to expanding research on cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's. President Bush has said he would veto it and the Christian Coalition
has announced that it will track how members vote when it reviews their records
before the next election cycle. A spokesman for Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile,
said he was undecided. Efforts to reach Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills,
were unsuccessful.
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