This editorial appeared in The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The stem-cell fault line is in full view these days in the Texas Legislature. And to understand the actions of the players, it is important to define your terms.
Adult stem-cell research has few opponents.
Staunch conservative Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, is sponsoring SB 73, designed to create the Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Consortium to coordinate the current research at 30 sites statewide. Hey, everyone is in favor of efficiency.
Adult stem-cell research holds promise potentially for unlocking cures for chronic diseases, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative conditions.
Embryonic stem-cell research, which scientists believe is even more promising, is what attracts political heat.
Last month, President Barack Obama reversed the Bush administration's limits on embryonic research, declaring that his administration will "make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
Democrats were critical of the Bush administration's tendency to politicize science on this and other matters, such as climate change, family planning and wildlife protection.
Obama overstated his case by saying that Americans "have come to a consensus that we should pursue this research." Although most Texans favor embryonic stem-cell research, there are still plenty of opponents – especially from the anti-abortion camp.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
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