Senate Proceeding on Apr 11th, 2007 :: 1:48:43 to 2:00:31
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1:23:11 to 1:48:43( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Orrin Hatch

1:48:31 to 1:48:43( Edit History Discussion )

Orrin Hatch: the -- over the years we have laid the groundwork for the senate to overwhelmingly approve federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. we did this last july but as we all know, unfortunately,

1:48:43 to 1:48:56( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: that bill was ultimately vetoed by the president. that's behind us now and with a new congress comes a new opportunity to revisit this important issue. the issue of embryonic stem cell research.

1:48:43 to 2:00:31( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Gordon Smith

1:48:56 to 1:49:10( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: i hope the experience of the past few months has helped my colleagues gain a fresh perspective on this issue. i know they certainly have for me. some may viewt vote we will take later today on is 1 z

1:49:10 to 1:49:24( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: 5 and s. 30 as a one or the other option. in my opinion, that is simply shortsighted. i intend to vote for both measures. at the end of the day they both accomplish the goal of advancing stem cell

1:49:24 to 1:49:37( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: science in the hopes of finding cures for debill taight illnesses such as parks parkinson's, alzheimer's, and diabetes, to name but a few. s. 5, the stem cell research en enhancement act of 2007,

1:49:37 to 1:49:50( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: would allow federal dollars to support research on stem cells derived from human embryos create ed through in vitro fertilization. s. 30, the so-called alternatives bill, would provide support for other

1:49:50 to 1:50:02( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: means of of deriving pluripotent stem cells. in that regard, both measures deserve the senate's support. i find it troubling that these measures should be pitted against one another. many argue

1:50:02 to 1:50:17( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: that s. 5 is a must- must-pass legislation and i would tend to he agree with them them. that should not detract from the importance of alternative forms of stem cell research sanctioned in s. 30.

1:50:17 to 1:50:33( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: as research on embryonic and other forms of stem cells like amniotic or placental, these are still in their infancy and we need to support them all to fully realize the potential they might hold. since the

1:50:33 to 1:50:47( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: senate last considered stem cell research, we have all had additional time to reflect on the sensitive issues under underlying this debate. as a pro-life republican, i initially had some uneasy easiness with

1:50:47 to 1:51:01( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: endorse ing this. drawing from my deeply held religious beliefs, scientific evidence, and countless personal stories of individuals living with terrible illnesses, i fashioned my position on the basis

1:51:01 to 1:51:14( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: that i truly believe it supports the sanctity of human life. the real tension surrounding this issue, i believe, pits the potential medical benefits benefit stem cells hold against the ethical unserntses

1:51:14 to 1:51:29( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: of some of my colleagues that this kind of research entails. based upon my personal struggle with this issue, i know believe any reservations with embryonic stem cell research are misplace ed misplaced, especially

1:51:29 to 1:51:47( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: when one truly considers the question of when life begins. for me it begins with the mother mother, with the implantation of the embryo. i believe the scriptures provide ample support showing that flesh

1:51:47 to 1:52:03( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: and spirit become one within a mother. this is one of womenkind's gifts gifts. i find er haves in the old old and new tests as well as in all of the gospels, all of these things lead me to feel comfortable

1:52:03 to 1:52:16( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: with an ethical conclusion that life begins when flesh and spirit are unite ed in a mother's womb. and not before. embryos create ed as part of the in vitro fertilization process were intended to

1:52:16 to 1:52:32( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: provide infertile couples the gift of life the chance to become parent parents. those that go unuse ed in fertility treatments should still have the opportunity to give the gift of life, either by later

1:52:32 to 1:52:44( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: implantation or to those living with debilitating disease diseases through stem cell research. without being implanted in a mother's womb an i.v.f. embryo is a group of cells growing in a petri dish.

1:52:44 to 1:52:59( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: if those cells are storied stored in a lab for 1,000 year, they have no possibility of developing into anything more than a group of cells. they remain the dust of the earth. one of the building

1:52:59 to 1:53:15( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: blocks lead leading to life. it is the act of implantation within a mother that gives them life. it is the act of implantation that is the essential missing ingredient in this debate. so instead of

1:53:15 to 1:53:26( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: storing or discard discarding unuse ed embryos, we have the opportunity to use them to derive much-needed stem cell lines for advancement of stem cell science. it is not more moral to simply throw them

1:53:26 to 1:53:42( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: away. while many of my pro-life colleagues may not agree with my position, i know they do support the intent of embryonic stem cell research. that of finding cures for a number of chronic diseases

1:53:42 to 1:53:54( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: and debilitating health conditions. that is why i still struggle with describe ing s. 30 as an alternative to s. 5. it is not an alternative or a substitute. it is a perfect complement. to fully

1:53:54 to 1:54:08( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: realize the benefits that all types of stem cell research offer, i urge my colleagues to vote affirmatively for both measures we're considering today. the promise of embryonic stem cell research is

1:54:08 to 1:54:20( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: very real. those suffering from parkinson's parkinson's, alzheimer's, diabetes, cardiovascular disease disease, and many cancers believe in that promise and so do i. but we have yet to unleash the potential

1:54:20 to 1:54:34( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: behind this science because. restrictions we have placed upon stem cell research. while you i appreciate the president allowing the research to move forward on a number of limit -- a limited number

1:54:34 to 1:54:47( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: of stem cell lines, we all know that over time those lines have been degrade ed and sign tiflts scientists are in desperate need of new lines. we can't expect scientists to make progress in developing

1:54:47 to 1:55:00( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: today's treatments if we limit them to yesterday's science. i believe the federal government has a vital moral role to play in the development of stem cell science to enis sure that the a appropriate ethical

1:55:00 to 1:55:13( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: guidelines are followed. it is uncertain where we will end up if embryonic stem cell research becomes an entirely private-sector venture. with lack of sufficient funding and ethical boundaries,

1:55:13 to 1:55:26( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: who knows where we we'll wind up. the federal government can guide research in the right direction. i fear if we fail to show up to work on this issue, we will run into a very serious problem in the

1:55:26 to 1:55:43( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: long run. over the last seven years it has become increasingly clear to me that being pro-life requires protecting both the sanctity of human life and the quality of human life. by allowing research

1:55:43 to 1:55:56( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: on stem cell lines derived from unuse ed i.v.f. embryos, we could forge a path that would one day lead to cures for some of mankind's most dreadful medical maladies. if all one life-improving application

1:55:56 to 1:56:08( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: of stem cell science comes from my vote in favor 6 s. 5, then i believe i have done my job and do done it correctly for i have chosen to err on the side of hope, healing and health. i enurge

1:56:08 to 1:56:22( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: all of my clerks even those that have some ethical reservations or contrary religious feelings on this issue issue, to do the same. i've heard some refer to embryonic stem cell research as a conflict

1:56:22 to 1:56:35( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: between science and religion. i do not believe that is the case. one of the greatest qualities and asfekts of life in the united states is our religious pliewrm pluralism. it is something we see

1:56:35 to 1:56:48( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: in the -- an absence of tragically in too many places around the world. we do not serve the public well by taking the nairt rowest thee logical position and trying to impose it on public policy.

1:56:48 to 1:57:05( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: the american tradition is open snuff to include other considerations of ethical ideas, scriptural interpretations, and scientific hope. i am not a scientist and i am not a thee low january. but i -- as

1:57:05 to 1:57:23( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: i use my agency to thrps dh what i know about the complexities of medicine, i have come to the conclusion that we are all made of dust, dust thou avert and unto duvment dust thou shall return

1:57:23 to 1:57:38( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: as the lord said to job. t i believe we miss the understanding of the importance of the spirit, the breath of life, the spirit within mankind as the essential ingredient which causes life to begin.

1:57:38 to 1:57:51( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: i do not find that religion and science are in conflict today. i believe they are this harmony. i believe we should have a broad enough view to include many views. to that point, mr. president,

1:57:51 to 1:58:08( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: i turn to the scriptures often de define ed wisdom that i do not verify myself and in the earl earliest pages of the old testament i find this statement "and the lord god formed man of the dust.

1:58:08 to 1:58:25( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul." mr. president, there are two conjunctions there -- the dust of the ground and the breath of life and then

1:58:25 to 1:58:40( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: man becomes a living soul. until you have both, you do not have life. i cannot end my comments today without mentioning also my own family's history. it has played a role in shaping my views on

1:58:40 to 1:58:54( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: broke stem cell research. my mother's name was jessica udall. i watched my grandmother lila lee i udall die of parkinson's. i watched my uncle die of parkinson's. i watched my cousin, former

1:58:54 to 1:59:09( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: presidential candidate and arizona congressman morris k. udall die of parkinson's. to watch people die of such a malady is to instill in wons heart a desire to err on the side of health, hope, and heal

1:59:09 to 1:59:23( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: healing. we will all die, mr. president, but no one should have to die as they died. so with that, mr. president, i yield the floor and urge my colleagues to vote for both of these measures. they

1:59:23 to 1:59:33( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: are complementary. they are headed in the same direction. they are not putting science and faith at odds with one another. and i yield the floor.x the presiding officer: who yields time? the senator

1:59:33 to 1:59:52( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: from georgia is recognized. a senator: i would yield 15 minutes to the distinguished senator from florida, senator mart martinez. the presiding officer: the senator from florida is recognized. mr.

1:59:52 to 2:00:08( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: martinez: mr. president, this is indeed a difficult issue and a difficult debate. i so much respect my colleague from oregon, and i know he speaks with passion and heart as he deals with these very,

2:00:08 to 2:00:31( Edit History Discussion )

Gordon Smith: very contentious and important issues. the issue of stem cell is a vital and emotional issue and one that we need to deal with carefully and we move forward in the senate on this very, very important issue.

2:00:31 to 2:00:41( Edit History Discussion )

Mel Martinez: the embryonic stem cell debate stimulates some of us to make discoveries and to build upon them. likewise this debate gallon van galvanizes others of us. the engineering of human life for the sake of scientific

2:00:31 to 2:12:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Mel Martinez