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Question of the Day for Rick Santorum: Can Stem Cell Research Cure Hypocrisy?
Senator Rick Santorum this week re-emphasized his opposition to stem cell research, stating that he was
“disheartened” to learn that the House of Representatives voted to expand stem cell research and that he does
“not support taxpayer funding for scientific research that involves the destruction of human embryos.” Yet
Santorum had no problem accepting $55,500 in campaign contributions from companies that conduct stem cell research.
“Rick Santorum’s opposition to stem cell research is hypocritical – he staunchly opposes
stem cell research and even introduced legislation to severely limit the research, but he has no problem accepting money from
the companies that conduct the research,” said DSCC Communications Director Phil Singer. “If Santorum truly opposes
stem cell research and isn’t just using the issue to pander to his political base, he should return the over $50,000
in campaign contributions he accepted from the companies that carry out the research.”
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to expand stem cell research, after which time Santorum issued
a statement saying that he did not “support taxpayer funding for scientific research that involves the destruction of
human embryos or that is based on the prior destruction of human life,” and that he was “pleased to hear”
of the President’s pledge to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. In 2003, Santorum also co-sponsored
legislation that would have severely restricted stem cell research.
SANTORUM HAS CLEARLY STATED HIS OPPOSITION TO STEM CELL RESEARCH: Following the House of Representatives
voting to expand stem cell research, Santorum issued a statement saying he was “disheartened” and that he does
not “support taxpayer funding for scientific research that involves the destruction of human embryos or that is based
on the prior destruction of human life.” Santorum also said he was “pleased to hear that President Bush
has vowed to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005.” [Press Release, Office of Sen. Santorum, 5/24/05]
SANTORUM EVEN INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO LIMIT STEM CELL RESEARCH: In January 2003, Santorum co-sponsored
legislation that would have imposed severe restrictions on stem cell research. This legislation was applauded by conservatives
because it would take more steps in preventing human cloning. Opponents of the bill, including the Christopher Reeve
Paralysis foundation, American Diabetes Association and the National Organization for Women believed that the bill goes too
far in limiting stem-cell research. [Anchorage Daily News, 5/17/03; S.245, 1/29/03]
YET SANTORUM HAS TAKEN $55,000 IN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM COMPANIES THAT CARRY OUT STEM CELL RESEARCH:
Since 1998, Rick Santorum has accepted a total of $55,500 in campaign contributions from political action committees tied
to six separate companies that conduct stem cell research. The six companies are: Becton Dickinson, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, & Pfizer. [www.crp.org; Biotechnology Industry Organization; Wall Street Journal, 4/12/05; Bioworld Today, 10/14/04]
By Phil Singer, DSCC, May 26, 2005
Irritated with Santorum, his views on stem cells
Let's not go to the buffet because someone may eat too much. Let's all stand out in the parking lot and
starve. That's the logic Sen. Rick Santorum uses to denounce the stem cell research bill. This is 15th century thinking at
its worst.
We make laws based on moral standards and life's necessities. The stem cell research bill, as approved,
prolongs and saves life. It's not counter to ''the culture of life.'' Researchers are not going to build human abominations
and bring on the book of Revelation. They will use zygotes that are slated for destruction, not rip unborn babies from the
wombs of hapless mothers-to-be.
Santorum should not be a U.S. senator. The people deserve better than fear-infused sound-bite theology.
We need level-headed thinkers, not theocrats with ulterior motives.
Rachel Thompson, Bethlehem
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