The stem cell breakthrough, Day 2

I suggested yesterday that the apparent new breakthrough in stem cell research, which harvests cells without destroying embryos, could offer a lifeline to Congressman Mark Green, whose opposition to embryonic stem cell research threatens to sink his campaign for governor.

Republican radio host Charlie Sykes agrees. He says Mark Green and George Bush should, "Declare victory. Defuse the issue. Move on."

I'm betting that's not likely.

The Catholic Bishops, who pull Green's strings, are still opposed.

And Wisconsin Right to Life, which waffled momentarily yesterday, is back on its usual path with a strident news release today:

After consulting with researchers and others regarding the accuracy of the scientists' claims, Wisconsin Right to Life Executive Director Barbara Lyons said:

... "The published experiment the scientists refer to ended up in the destruction of all of the embryos involved. They DID NOT simply extract one cell from an embryo ...they plucked the embryos apart...one cell at a time."

Even if the scientists had conducted the experiment exactly as it has been portrayed (extract only one cell from an embryo and let the embryo live and grow), there is still a great risk of harm or death to the embryo. The way it has been portrayed, there would be no risk to the embryo. That is not the case.

There is also a chance that the one cell could form a new embryo, a twin of the original embryo, if put in the right conditions.

"If the scientific community and the biotech industry are really serious about alleviating disease and devastating conditions, they need to stop killing human embryos to obtain stem cells and concentrate on using adult stem cells that have shown success in over 72 diseases and conditions.

The time they are spending trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the American public should be spent on research that will actually help people," stated Lyons.

This is the group that calls Mark Green one of its heroes. This is his base.

It's safe to say that Extreme Green has his marching orders. He'll try to sound reasonable on the issue, but don't look for him to embrace this new breakthrough. Barbara Lyons & Co. would never forgive him.