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June 1, 2005
If ever there were reason to celebrate the passage of a political science bill, this would be it. I am pleased to announce that the legislature overrode the Governor's objections to pass one of the most controversial proposals of the decade: a bill to allow and promote stem cell research in the Commonwealth.
The debate over this bill has centered as much on ethical concerns as on the hard science involved. My view is that it would be unethical to fail to pursue research into treatments that could alleviate enormous human suffering. I cannot think of a more worthy use of science than to save lives. I have listened to arguments and opinions from people on both sides of this issue, and I recognize that stem cell research is not a sure-fire panacea. But I remain hopeful that its use will bring us one step closer to finding cures for such debilitating diseases as Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, Multiple Sclerosis, burns and spinal cord injuries.
I would like to thank all of you, my constituents, who offered your thoughts on this important matter over the past few months. I look forward to continuing the dialogue.
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