My Hope For A Two-Thirds Vote
 | Miriam Fink is a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center. She is a graduate of American University. |
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 was vetoed on June 20, 2007 by President Bush stating “Our innovative spirit is making possible incredible advances in medicine that can save lives and cure diseases. America is also a nation founded on the principle that all human life is sacred. And our conscience calls us to pursue the possibilities of science in a manner that respects human dignity and upholds our moral values.” The Reform Jewish Movement also believes that all human life is sacred and that is why our Movement also believes stem cell research is vital. Stem cell research has the potential to save and lengthen millions of Americans’ lives from diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and a plethora of other ailments and illnesses.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act would open up stem cell lines for federally funded research ensuring that embryos used to derive stem cells were originally created for fertility treatment purposes and are in excess of clinical need and that the individuals seeking fertility treatments for whom the embryos were created have determined that the embryos will not be implanted in a woman and will otherwise be discarded. Furthermore, the individuals for whom the embryos were created have provided written consent for embryo donation.
My hope is the bill will receive the two-thirds vote necessary to override the veto and allow life saving research to advance as soon as possible. For more information about stem cell research visit the National Institutes of Health’s stem cell basic information website here.