Honor Reagan by fighting killer diseases
Published 9:00 pm Saturday, June 12, 2004
Among the ideas for memorializing President Ronald Reagan, one that carries immense hope for saving and improving human lives deserves swift action: expanding government support for stem-cell research.
Stem cells are the building blocks of human anatomy, and scientists see them as a key to unlocking life-saving treatments – even cures – for a host of diseases, including Parkinson’s, diabetes and cancer. Hope also exists, though some argue to a lesser degree, that stem-cell research could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, the diabolical illness that robbed Reagan of his intellect for most of his final decade.
Research of stem cells and their potential live-saving role is controversial because stem cells come from human embryos. In a compromise three years ago, President Bush agreed to allow existing lines of stem cells to be used in federally funded research, but put a lid on development of new lines. Opponents of funding new lines fear that it will open the door to human cloning, even if the intentions are heart-wrenchingly good.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. Conservatives such at Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, one of the nation’s leading voices against abortion, recognize that. Hatch has joined a majority in both houses of Congress asking Bush to lift the current restrictions. Nancy Reagan, in a moving speech at a stem-cell research fund-raiser last month, made the case for government funding. “I just don’t see how we can turn our backs on this,” the former first lady said. “… We have lost so much time already and I just really can’t bear to lose anymore.”
No one understands the anguish of Alzheimer’s better than Mrs. Reagan, who for 10 years lived with the slow, steady and profoundly sad deterioration of the love of her life. Stem cells research won’t provide a quick cure for the disease, but it could open new paths to explore. And it holds even greater promise in the battles against other killers.
New stem-cell lines can be developed with existing “leftover” embryos from fertility clinics, embryos that eventually would be destroyed anyway. Blocking their use for such promising gain is a ridiculous waste.
This isn’t about human cloning, which should not be allowed. It isn’t about creating fetuses for the harvesting of spare body parts. It’s about coaxing stem cells into cell types that can treat disease, or lead to the discovery of cures. It’s about investing in scientific advances for the good of humanity.
Such an investment would be a worthy tribute to a president who was so widely admired.
