(Host) Congressman Bernie Sanders voted in favor of the stem cell research bill that passed the U.S. House on Tuesday.
The legislation eases restrictions on federal funding for research on stem cells that come from human embryos. Backers of the bill argue that additional stem cell research could lead to cures for a number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Opponents of the bill, including President Bush, argue that the legislation essentially destroys life in order to save it.
Congressman Sanders says he supported the bill because of the potential scientific benefits it offers.
(Sanders) “What we know is that scientists all over this country are telling us that there’s huge potential for stem cell research, whether it’s Alzheimer’s or spinal injuries or Parkinson’s or a dozen other diseases. And while obviously we have to be very careful, and I am strongly opposed to human cloning, I think the scientific community thinks this is an extraordinary opportunity to do research, to learn more about some of the more difficult diseases that they’re trying to address and to come up with cures for them.”
(Host) Sanders says he doesn’t view the legislation as destroying life.
(Sanders) “Nobody is being killed. These stem cells are donated by couples who are working on in vitro fertilization. They are voluntarily, with written consent, offering these stem cells. And I think the president is just dead-wrong. He is at odds with the scientific community in this country.”
(Host) The measure will now be considered in the U.S. Senate.