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ON EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH
McCAIN STATED...
I.
"All I can say to you is that I went back and forth, back and forth on it and I came in on one of the toughest decisions I've ever had, in favor of that research. And one reason being very frankly is those embryos will be either discarded or kept in permanent frozen status."
II.
"Mr. President, I will vote in support of the two bills under consideration today, S. 5 and S. 30, which would provide a framework for federal support of stem cell research under strict guidelines and ethical criteria. I supported similar legislative proposals during the last Congress...This bill [Senate Bill 5] would authorize federal support for embryonic stem cell research, but limits appropriately that support to scientists who use embryos originally created for reproductive purposes, and now frozen or slated for destruction by in vitro fertilization clinics. Before there is even consideration of whether to donate unused embryos for research, the legislation would require that the patient who is the source of the embryos be consulted and a determination be made that these embryos would otherwise be discarded, and would never have been implanted in the patient or another woman..."S. 5 also provides support for alternative stem cell research methods by offering increased federal funding and support for research that does not involve the use of human embryos."
"I am also supportive of the other measure that is before us today, S. 30. This bill will also offer increased federal funding and support for adult stem cell research and other research that does not involve the use of human embryos. Additionally, S. 30 would allow research to be performed on embryonic stem cells taken from naturally dead embryos. This research shows some promise but only additional research will tell whether it can lead to cures and treatments, and we should embrace the opportunity that would be afforded under this legislation to determine the research potential that might exists."
"It should be clearly recognized that embryonic stem cell research will occur with or without federal approval and guidance. Keeping that in mind, I believe embryonic stem cell research is best carried out under strict federal guidelines and oversight."
McCAIN VOTED...
On April 11, 2007 voted 'Yes' in support of Senate Bill 5 [titled the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007"] which allows for research to be performed on human embryos.