The "Earthquake" in Congress: Frist Defies Bush on Stem Cell Research

On July 29, 2005, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced his support for a bill that would expand federally-funded stem cell research. Fellow Republican Senator Arlen Specter called the statement an “earthquake" and "the most important speech made this year." Doctor Frist’s position is a break with the Bush administration, and his change of heart will make it easier for other undecided lawmakers to vote for the bill and against President Bush.

By opposing the White House on this issue, Senator Frist has taken a risk, but a calculated one. Frist will probably run for president in 2008, and most Americans support stem cell research. However, he has placed himself at odds with the Religious Right, who likens the research to abortion.

Frist wants to tighten the ethical guidelines on the legislation, but some say that even a careful bill will not excuse the destruction of embryos.

What is stem cell research?

Stem cell research is relatively new; only since 1998 have scientists been able to grow and isolate stem cells, which have the unique potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, each "daughter" cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function. Stem cells, therefore, could serve as a repair system for tissues and organs, replenishing damaged or diseased cells, including red blood cells, brain cells, or muscle cells.

Harvesting stem cells always kills the days-old embryos, so some are opposed to the practice. The argument over stem cell research often mimics the abortion debate, centering on religious definitions about when human life begins.

What would the legislation do?

The Senate bill sponsored by Arlen Specter (R- Pennsylvania) and Tom Harkin (D- Iowa) would overturn Bush’s 2001 ban on federal funding for new stem cell lines. The embryos would come from in vitro fertilization clinics that destroy their surpluses, and donors would consent to their use.

But opponents say that it’s unethical to use embryos for scientific research. They consider frozen embryos to be individuals who need protection. Further, they say it’s unfair to require taxpayers to support such a debatable practice.

Since legislators on both sides of the argument consider themselves pro-life, the term takes on a new meaning within the context of the stem cell debate. For example, Senator Orrin Hatch (R- Utah) and Senator Rick Santorum (R- Pennsylvania) are both strongly opposed to abortion, but since the research may save lives, Hatch believes that it follows pro-life principles, while Santorum sees no difference between stem cell research and abortion.

Veto threat

President Bush agrees with Santorum, and is sharply opposed to the bill. Mr. Bush has threatened to do something he has never done before - veto the legislation and challenge Congress to overturn or override him. A two-thirds majority is needed in both the House and the Senate to supersede the President and allow the bill to become law; otherwise, the bill "dies."

Some say that Frist’s announcement could help win enough support to override the veto - 67 votes are needed in the Senate and 290 in the House if all lawmakers vote.

Frist’s new position

Although Frist did not back the legislation initially, he has been a supporter of stem cell research in the past. In 2001, Frist helped to convince Bush to allow for some research. But since Bush’s executive order funded already-established stem cell lines only, the number of lines viable for research has dwindled to 22.

Frist recognizes that there are not enough stem cell lines to do the extensive research that would be needed to cure Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and more.

During his floor speech, Frist explained that his medical training informed his thinking on many of the moral questions that surround the issue. He said: "Answering fundamental questions about human life is seldom easy. To realize the promise of my own field of heart transplantation and at the same time address moral concerns introduced by new science, we had to ask the question: How do we define death?" Frist continued, "Like transplantation, if we can answer the moral and ethical questions about stem cell research, I believe we have the opportunity to save many lives."

Not a partisan issue

Stem cell research is certainly not a partisan issue. In fact, the debate has split the Republican Party. To come to an opinion on the matter, one must consider her religious or spiritual beliefs along with the purpose of scientific research, the origins of life, and the role of the government. Do frozen embryos need government protection? Is the life of a frozen embryo equivalent to the life of a cancer patient? What does it mean when the president disagrees with the majority of Congress and the American people?

What do you think?

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Posted on: 8/5/2005