Romney's stem cell view may upset the right (Boston Globe)

[Eugene]

Romney's stem cell view may upset the right
Use of excess embryos at issue

By Scott Helman, Globe Staff | February 11, 2007

In the heated debate among conservatives over whether Mitt Romney deserves their
vote, the focus has been largely on whether his big swings to the right on social
issues are sincere.

But on the charged issue of stem cell research, he's facing conservative criticism of a
different shade: that he hasn't swung far enough.

Unlike many on the right, Romney supports research on excess embryos created during
fertility treatments. Because couples are making embryos to have a baby, he reasons,
it is ethical to use the leftovers for research when they would otherwise just be
discarded.

Romney's position, however, is at odds with the views of many conservative anti abortion
activists, who believe that any work on stem cells derived from human embryos is wrong,
because it destroys the embryos in the process. Some say Romney's views make him
unacceptable to many voters and will complicate his attempt to win the 2008 GOP
nomination by appealing to the party's conservative flank.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/11/romneys_stem_cell_view_may_upset_the_right

[jobycom]

1. Maybe they should just run Bob Dole again. nt