Obama Ad Attacks McCain's Position On Stem Cell Research

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 26 Sep 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) recently released an ad stating that Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) "has stood in the way" of stem cell research, the AP/Google.com reports (Kuhnhenn, AP/Google.com, 9/24).

Federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by President Bush on that date. Bush twice has vetoed bills that would have allowed federal funding for research using stem cells derived from human embryos originally created for fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients. Both Obama and McCain voted for the bills (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 9/15).

According to the AP/Google.com, McCain recently began airing a radio advertisement touting his support for stem cell research. McCain's ad suggests that his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has a similar view on the issue, but Palin does not support embryonic stem cell research, AP/Google.com reports.

Obama's ad, which is airing in several cities in swing states, says, "Stem cell research could unlock cures for diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's too. But John McCain has stood in the way. He opposed stem cell research. Picked a running mate who is against it, and he's running on a platform even more extreme than George Bush's on this vital research." According to the AP/Google.com, the Republican platform calls for a ban on research involving human embryos, but McCain has continued to support embryonic stem cell research funding since 2001 (Kuhnhenn, AP/Google.com, 9/24).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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