by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 3, 2005
Washington,
DC (LifeNews.com) -- In his State of the Union address, President
Bush reemphasized his commitment to a pro-life approach on the issues
of human cloning and stem cell research. While expressing his support
for moving science forward, the president said he would not advance
research by destroying human life in the process.
"Because a society is measured by how it treats the weak and vulnerable, we must strive to build a culture of life," the president explained.
"Medical research can help us reach that goal, by developing treatments and cures that save lives and help people overcome disabilities, and I thank Congress for doubling the funding of the National Institutes of Health," Bush said.
"To build a culture of life, we must also ensure that scientific advances always serve human dignity, not take advantage of some lives for the benefit of others," the president cautioned.
Bush renewed his call for a ban on all forms of human cloning -- legislation Congress will likely address this year.
"I will work with Congress to ensure that human embryos are not created for experimentation or grown for body parts, and that human life is never bought and sold as a commodity," Bush said.
"America will continue to lead the world in medical research that is ambitious, aggressive, and always ethical," the president concluded.
Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson reacted positively to the speech.
"The president delivered a powerful, moving speech this evening, speaking to the most important issues of the day with forcefulness and confident cadence, the pro-life leader said. "We especially appreciated that he reaffirmed his commitment to the culture of life."
Reverend Rob Schenck of the National Clergy Council
agreed and said the president "plainly put our important principles
on the national agenda and announced that they would guide his
policies over the next four years."
"We look forward to supporting and encouraging the President in this direction for the betterment of our country and our world," Schenck added.
