Pro-Life Speakers at GOP Convention Discuss Abortion, Stem Cell Research

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Sep 1, 2004   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Pro-Life Speakers at GOP Convention Discuss Abortion, Stem Cell Research

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 1, 2004

New York, NY (LifeNews.com) — Several speakers at the Republican convention in New York touched on pro-life issues Tuesday night in their addresses to delegates.

"We believe in a culture that respects all human life, including the most vulnerable in our society — the frail elderly, the infirm and those not yet born," North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole told the delegates.

"Protecting life isn’t something Republicans invented, but it is something Republicans will defend," she said. "This is our true north — we believe in life."

Dole’s mention of unborn children bought loud cheers from North Carolina delegates, including Barbara Holt, president of North Carolina Right to Life.

Meanwhile, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, who has led the fight to pass a ban on all human cloning, spoke about the "respect for the inherent dignity, equality, and sanctity of every human life."

"Every life must be honored and protected," said Brownback in his address.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist defended President Bush’s policy against using federal tax dollars to fund new embryonic stem cell research because it destroys the lives of unborn children.

"An embryo is biologically human. It deserves moral respect," First, a Tennessee senator, explained. "This President will not use your taxpayer dollars to destroy human life or create human embryos solely for the purpose of experimentation."

"John Kerry claims that the President has put a ‘sweeping ban’ on stem cell research," Frist said. "I challenge Mr. Kerry tonight: what ban? Shame on you, Mr. Kerry."

Frist referred to Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry’s remarks that Bush’s policy effectively banned funding for stem cell research. However, the Bush administration has spent $190 million on the use of adult stem cells to find cures for diseases.