Bass and Bradley Vote for Stem Cell Research

Tuesday morning, opponents of expanded use of embryos for stem cell research held a last minute news conference with 21 so-called "snowflakes".

They're kids who were born after being adopted as embryos.

They were brought to Capitol Hill to demonstrate that the embryos discarded by couples seeking in vitro fertilization, can indeed become babies.

The kids were also a backdrop for some harsh criticism of those who support expanding research on embryos.

Florida Congressman Dave Weldon, who's also a doctor, says using discarded embryos for research is the beginning of a slippery slope.
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But New Hampshire Congressman Charlie Bass says Dr. Weldon has got it all wrong.

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The 2nd District Republican co-sponsored the stem cell research enhancement act.
He says that although some embryos can be adopted and become children, thousands more are destroyed as medical waste every year.

Both Bass and his 1st district colleague Jeb Bradley say their bill has restrictions to make sure that the embryos used for research would otherwise be discarded, that parents have informed consent, and in no way benefit financially from donating the embryos to science.

The issue has become increasingly heated among republicans.

They've been receiving calls from conservative activists who liken research on embryos to abortion.

But they are also receiving calls from constituents whose family members suffer from Alzeimers or juvenile diabetes, and who think stem cell research might be their best hope.

The Republican leadership decided to offer a compromise bill that would promote the use of stem cells from the umbilical cord blood of babies - and would not require the use of embryos.

Both New Hampshire Congressman say they support the use of cord blood stem cells.

But Congressman Bradley says its research potential is limited.

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The passage of the bill in the house is a victory for New Hampshire's congressmen,

They sponsored the same bill last year, but it went nowhere.

But even if the bill also passes in the Senate, President Bush has vowed to veto it.

Congressman Bass, though, is optimistic that the President could change his mind.

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Bass and Bradley both say that as their opponents become more educated about the issue, they realize it has nothing to do with abortion and everything to do with saving lives.

Conservative pro-life Republican Orrin Hatch is expected to spearhead support for the bill in the Senate.

For NHPR NEws I'm JD in Washington.