Allen v. Allen: In His Own Words

I keep coming back to the embryonic stem (ES) cell issue because as a (recovering) scientist, I feel it is an issue of significant importance today. So, I did a little digging and found that "Senator" Allen has changed his position on this issue to one more in line with both the President (big surprise) and the conservative base of his party. [Quotes are from the FCCC debate and an appearance on "Crossfire" on January 6, 2003".]
From the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Debate:

ALLEN '06: The advancements in science over the last several years have shown that there are many people who are having their lives improved...with what are called adult stem cells that are derived from cord blood or various other tissues and that's the sort of funding that I'’m very much a strong advocate for.

Allen '03: Now, the issue of using stem cells from embryos, I'm very much in favor of research on stem cells from embryos for Parkinson's, for juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer's and so forth.

Allen '06: The fact that there is not federal funding is because in my view the federal government should not fund the destruction of human embryos.

Allen '03: And I think that from those embryos that could otherwise be discarded or destroyed, I think that we should go forward and research in that area.

Allen '06: If I were Governor, I would want to fund stem cell research that is actually benefiting people's lives right now, but not the kind that would destroy a human embryo.

Allen '03: Some people say that [ES cell derived treatment] is not proven. Well, let's do the research under ethical guidelines.

George Stephanopoulos: You say you are against any process that creates human embryos that are then destroyed...that happens in the process of in vitro fertilization every single day. So, are you, therefore, against in vitro fertilization?

Allen '03: No, No, I am not against in vitro fertilization... 

GS: So what's the distinction?

Allen '06: The distinction is I don't think that embryos ought to be created for the sole purpose of harvesting or destroying them.

Allen '03: And I think that from those embryos that could otherwise be discarded or destroyed, I think that we should go forward and research in that area.

What does Jim Webb say about ES cell research?

Q: Would you have voted for federal funding for stem cell research?

Webb: I would have. Senator Allen, it is my understanding, voted for it in '01. This is an issue that has the weight of medical science with it. We all need to show respect for human life but my understanding of this, my reading of it is that these are embryos that were not going to become human life as we know it. That's the strong weight of medical opinion on it.

Finally, here is what "Senator" Allen had to say about the Senate's legislative priorities near the end of last year:

"If nothing happens on stem cells, it's not the end of the world."

Transcript from Crossfire, January 6, 2003:

ALLEN: Now, the issue of using stem cells from embryos, I'm very much in favor of research on stem cells from embryos for Parkinson's, for juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer's and so forth. Not exactly where Bob is on that one.

And I think that from those embryos that could otherwise be discarded or destroyed, I think that we should go forward and research in that area. The research, as far as adult stem cells and tissue stem cells, I think we should go forward there as well. And so I think where the consensus needs to be is, number one, an understanding of the definition, the science and what we're doing.

Human cloning should be banned. But it should not stop research on embryos -- stem cells from embryos that can be possibly helpful. It is only a prayer, it's only a hope. Some people say that it is not proven. Well, let's do the research under ethical guidelines.

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