A Bit More on the Stem Cell Bill

Morning Call

The bill also would require the National Institutes of Health to find new methods for obtaining human embryonic stem cells, and federal funds would be provided. Along with other stem-cell bills being considered, it is not a matter of either-or for Congress, but of using both.

There are Republicans who feel that Sen. Santorum's involvement with this issue has political risks, but he appears to have avoided criticism in Pennsylvania so far. Sen. Santorum is being challenged by Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., a pro-life Democrat. Mr. Casey also opposes embryonic stem-cell research, but he has not made it a campaign issue.

The President still is opposed to wide-open research and his veto of bills to undo his 2001 controls is expected. Thus, eventual passage of the Specter-Santorum bill might be the only practical hope for expanding this promising research this year.