Klein notes Boca boy in letter to President

Published Sunday, June 17, 2007
by By John Johnston


Following passage June 8 of the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007”, Congressman Ron Klein (D-22) has written directly to President Bush, asking the president to change his mind about vetoing the legislation.

While at a G8 summit in Germany last week, Bush said in a statement: "I am disappointed the leadership of Congress recycled an old bill that would simply overturn our country's carefully balanced policy on embryonic stem cell research.''

The statement continued: "If this bill were to become law, American taxpayers would for the first time in our history be compelled to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos. Crossing that line would be a grave mistake. For that reason, I will veto the bill.”

In his letter to the President, Klein responded: “Embryonic stem cell research represents one of the most promising frontiers in medicine. This research offers hope to millions of people suffering from incurable diseases such as Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's disease, cancer and diabetes, because human embryonic stem cells -- unlike adult stem cells -- are able to develop into almost any cell in the human body.”

Without government assistance argued Klein, stem cell research will progress too slowly.

“Congress has done its part,” Klein said, in passing the new legislation. Klein said the new bill “would greatly expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research while adding critical ethical safeguards.”

“For example,” Klein noted, “stem cells donated for research must be derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment. And where in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment, the embryos would be otherwise discarded and not implanted in a woman.”


Boca Boy


In his letter to the President, Klein reminds Bush “we were here once before.” Klein notes that in 2006, the 109th Congress passed a similar measure with the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act," but you exercised your Presidential authority to veto the legislation -- the first of your administration -- and you have announced your intention of vetoing (the new bill) when it comes before you,” said Klein.

“On behalf of the seniors, children, and families living throughout the 22nd Congressional District of Florida and other Americans throughout the country who look to the promise of stem cells to cure their diseases, I implore you to change your mind and sign this bill into law.

Klein also said that he shared the president’s “impassioned belief that all life is sacred.”

“A large part of my passion is driven by people like Adam Susser, a young boy from Boca Raton. Adam was asphyxiated at birth and as a result, is cortically blind with quadriplegic cerebral palsy,” said Klein.

“The promises of stem cell research mean that children like Adam could be cured and live a more normal life.”

Klein also argued that stem cell research was essential “for the thousands of seniors living throughout South Florida, many of whom are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and so many other serious ailments, the stem cell battle is critically important. Every day that passes without our scientists and researchers having all of the tools at their disposal is another day of suffering.”

In his veto pledge last week Bush reiterated what he said in 2006: that embryonic stem cell research in unacceptable because – and even though only in its earliest state – such research involves destruction of human life.

Researchers say all forms of stem cell research should be pursued rather than closing off what many scientists say could be the most promising area of that research.

John Johnston can be reached at 561-549-0833, or at jjohnston@bocanews.com
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