12 July 2004

by Anai Rhoads

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Veriana Media - Ron Reagan, son of the late Republican President Ronald Reagan, announced Monday that he plans to attend the Democratic National Convention 26-29 July in Boston, Massachusetts.

The 46 year-old Reagan will use the time to bring awareness to the need for human embryonic stem cell research, something he and many believe would have helped those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, as well as a host of other illnesses. The late President lost his 10-year battle with the brain-disease on 05 June at the age of 93.

The Bush administration has repeatedly denied federal funding for stem cell research, leaving scientists in limbo with regards to advancing research against serious illnesses.

"I believe human life is a sacred gift from our Creator. I worry about a culture that devalues life, and believe as your President I have an important obligation to foster and encourage respect for life in America and throughout the world. And while we're all hopeful about the potential of this research, no one can be certain that the science will live up to the hope it has generated." Bush said in an address when initially confronted with the decision to help fund the research.[1]

Anti-abortion organisations and religious groups also view stem cell research as murder, since it involves 24-48 hour old embryos.

Stem cell research may result in the ability to cure those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, type-1 diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke, heart disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and burns.

An embryo is but one location where cells can be drawn from, others include umbilical cords, bone marrow stem cells from the marrow of the bone, amniotic fluid, and even from a baby's tooth.

References:

Remarks by the [1] President on Stem Cell Research. 09 August 2001.

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