Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Not all stem cells are alike
As usual, the press is quick to jump all over Rush Limbaugh. This time the media blast is for his criticism of Michael J. Fox’s ads for certain Democrats around the country (including one against Michael Steele on behalf of Ben Cardin here in Maryland). Rush Limbaugh On the Offensive Against Ad With Michael J. Fox
But Rush’s criticisms are legitimate as a Dr. Mary Davenport lays out here:
“Mr. Fox and his ads’ sponsors are guilty of conflating embryonic stem cell research, which the GOP candidates and many Americans oppose for destroying a human life in the name of curing other people’s diseases, with stem cell research in general, which includes adult stem cell research and umbilical cord blood stem cell research.” The Unconscionable Claims of Michael J. Fox
Additionally:
"Michael J. Fox admits now that he stopped taking his medication prior to testifying before Congress," Hannity said. "You have a right to speak up, but he also has a right to be criticized." Michael J. Fox Can Be Criticized for Stem Cell Ad
Finally, you gotta love Michael Steele’s response to such cravenness:
“Michael Steele said, “There is only one candidate in this race who voted against stem cell research and it’s Congressman Ben Cardin. Ben Cardin had a chance to support stem cell research that would not destroy human embryos, and he voted against it – not because of his beliefs on the issue, but as a transparent political stunt. Both Senators Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes voted for this legislation. Ben Cardin wanted to politicize the issue instead of getting something done, so he voted against it. Marylanders deserve better than Congressman Cardin’s continued Washington double-talk, mistruths and sheer political gamesmanship on an issue as important as stem cell research.” SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: Cardin Voted Against Stem Cell Research for Pure Political Gain
(OK - Technically, Ben Cardin voted against a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill that would require the National Institutes of Health to conduct and support research on the isolation, derivation and production of pluripotent stem cells that do not destroy human embryos. The bill had previously passed in the Senate unanimously)
But Rush’s criticisms are legitimate as a Dr. Mary Davenport lays out here:
“Mr. Fox and his ads’ sponsors are guilty of conflating embryonic stem cell research, which the GOP candidates and many Americans oppose for destroying a human life in the name of curing other people’s diseases, with stem cell research in general, which includes adult stem cell research and umbilical cord blood stem cell research.” The Unconscionable Claims of Michael J. Fox
Additionally:
"Michael J. Fox admits now that he stopped taking his medication prior to testifying before Congress," Hannity said. "You have a right to speak up, but he also has a right to be criticized." Michael J. Fox Can Be Criticized for Stem Cell Ad
Finally, you gotta love Michael Steele’s response to such cravenness:
“Michael Steele said, “There is only one candidate in this race who voted against stem cell research and it’s Congressman Ben Cardin. Ben Cardin had a chance to support stem cell research that would not destroy human embryos, and he voted against it – not because of his beliefs on the issue, but as a transparent political stunt. Both Senators Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes voted for this legislation. Ben Cardin wanted to politicize the issue instead of getting something done, so he voted against it. Marylanders deserve better than Congressman Cardin’s continued Washington double-talk, mistruths and sheer political gamesmanship on an issue as important as stem cell research.” SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: Cardin Voted Against Stem Cell Research for Pure Political Gain
(OK - Technically, Ben Cardin voted against a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill that would require the National Institutes of Health to conduct and support research on the isolation, derivation and production of pluripotent stem cells that do not destroy human embryos. The bill had previously passed in the Senate unanimously)
