Frist backs stem cells

Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said he will support federal funding of stem cell research, but noted that the creation of embryos for the sole purpose of embryonic stem cell research should neither be funded nor allowed in the private sector. Thus, Frist said his support of embryonic stem cell research is limited to blastocysts that otherwise would be discarded from in vitro fertilization procedures. The physician lawmaker, who said "I am pro-life", stated that the creation of human embryos for research purposes "should be strictly prohibited," and that the current ban on the use of federal funds for the derivation of human stem cells should be strengthened. According to Frist spokesperson Margaret Camp, the proposed ban on creating human embryos for research purposes would extend to companies in the private sector. Frist's proposed framework also would restrict federal funding for embryonic stem cells to a limited number of stem cell lines, and would authorize federal funding for embryonic stem cell research for five years "to ensure ongoing congressional oversight."

The lawmaker called for increased funding for research into adult stem cells, but also noted that embryonic stem cells have "greater potential than research limited to adult stem cells and can, under the proper conditions, be conducted ethically." ...