Dennis Shulman for U.S. Congress: Sensible Leadership for New Jersey’s 5th District

Voters in New Jersey’s fifth Congressional district have a clear choice: Dennis Shulman, who believes that embryonic stem cell research is an ethical imperative, or Scott Garrett, who has called it ‘immoral’ and blocked progress at every opportunity.

As a rabbi and psychologist, Dennis Shulman has seen firsthand the struggles of people with Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and other potentially curable diseases. Dr. Shulman strongly supports embryonic stem cell research and its potential to offer hope to the more than 100 million Americans who suffer from these debilitating diseases.

Both Senators John McCain and Barack Obama voted to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research – Scott Garrett is the hold out. He has consistently voted against sensible bipartisan embryonic stem cell bills, including last year’s Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

By blocking embryonic stem cell research, the United States is falling behind as other countries emerge as scientific leaders and innovators. The growth of this research overseas is “a concrete sign that American science is losing its preeminence in a key field of 21st-century research.” (Boston Globe, 5/23/04)

Embryonic stem cell research could lead to new technologies and the accompanying business opportunities and economic growth. In addition to falling behind as a scientific leader, experts worry that blocking this type of research could put the United States at an economic disadvantage in the 21st century. (Boston Globe, 5/23/04)

Scott Garrett’s argument that adult stem cells offer the same promise as embryonic stem cells simply does not hold water. National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni advocates for lifting President Bush’s federal ban on embryonic stem cell research, arguing that “all angles of stem cell research should be pursued.” (Senior Journal, 3/20/07)

To best confront the ethical challenges of stem cell research, we must ensure the federal government has an active role in funding and regulating research. We cannot leave this task up to private industry. Lifting the federal ban on embryonic stem cell research would not increase funding for research – it would simply allow researchers to pursue already-existing grants and other sources of funding.