Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) outlined his thoughts on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (SCREA) yesterday in a piece for the National Ledger. If you're even vaguely familiar with the ongoing debate, you will know the arguments laid forth in Kyl's writing by heart.
There is one part that is slightly misleading, though. (Well, more than one, but only one that I want to focus on here.)
President Bush used the same logic last year when he vetoed the SCREA. At a press conference announcing his veto, Bush said:
Bush's statement at the time was false, as is Kyl's statement today. The Dickey Amendment prohibits the use of federal funds for the destruction of a human embryo, and the SCREA doesn't change that.
The SCREA only allows the use of federal funds for research using embryonic stem cell lines, without concern for when they were derived. A proper reading of the SCREA shows that it does not permit federal funding for the actual derivation of the human embryonic stem cells, which is where the embryo destruction takes place.
Since the SCREA doesn't permit federal funding for the destruction of human life, Kyl hasn't given a straight answer on his stance. He may still oppose it, which is a right he is certainly entitled to, but he should be honest with us.
I'm going to call his office and find out where he stands, given that his stated line for opposition has not been crossed.
Supporting Stem-Cell Research [National Ledger]
