Pro-Life News: Stem Cell Research, Morning After Pill, Georgia Wins 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 11, 2006
Senate Will Vote on Embryonic Stem Cell Research Funding Bill Again
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The battle to stop more federal taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research funding isn’t over. Pro-life advocates won the first round when President Bush vetoed a bill to do that and the House of Representatives failed to find enough votes to override it. Though the Senate was a handful of votes short of an override majority, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said the bill will make a comeback eventually. "We’re going to be able to do this. We know the potential," he said this week. Though some funding advocates suggest waiting until after the 2008 presidential elections to try again, saying the same result will occur, Reid said backers of the destructive research will try again in 2007. "Why should we have to wait until there’s a new president?" Reid asked. "We will pass (a bill) again next year." But John Rosenlund, 32, who became paraplegic after a car accident, told the Reno Gazette newspaper that tax money shouldn’t be spent on the research because it involves the destruction of human life. "(Stem-cell research) is an issue that’s been there since I was injured 10 years ago," he said. "There’s a lot of potential, but a lot of hidden dangers in it." "I think stem-cell research is a good idea — granted when it does not include those things that go against my moral and ethical beliefs."
Illinois Governor Will Push Morning After Pill Sales if FDA Doesn’t Act Soon
Springfield, IL (LifeNews.com) — Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he will push to make Illinois the next state to authorize over the counter sales of the morning after pill if the FDA doesn’t finalize sales soon. The FDA announced this week that it has reached a deal with Barr Laboratories, the maker of the Plan B drug, to sell it over the counter to women over the age of 18. Teenagers would still need to have a doctor’s prescription to obtain the drug. But if the FDA doesn’t finish the deal, Blagojevich said he’ll find a way to make it available. He may issue an executive order to do so. Republican Judy Baar Topinka criticized the governor for continuously avoiding the legislature on key policy matters. Sorry, he wasn’t elected king. He’s got to go back to the legislature," his November election opponent said. Nine states already allow women to get Plan B without a doctor’s prescription. Lawmakers on the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules have the authority to strike down executive orders and State Rep. Tom Holbrook, a Democrat on the panel, said the governor needed to work with lawmakers first.
Georgia Pro-Life Candidates Fare Well in Primary Elections, Right to Life Says
Atlanta, GA (LifeNews.com) — Although disappointed by the loss of an important statewide race, pro-life supporters can celebrate that the overwhelming majority of state legislative candidates endorsed by Georgia Right to Life PAC (GRTL PAC) won their respective primaries and primary run-offs. Ninety percent of the candidates endorsed by the GRTL PAC won in their primary and run-off races. Five of these six primary run-offs were pro-life victories. "These results rank GRTL PAC as one of the more effective Political Action Committees in the nation, proving yet again the adage that… Pro-Life Wins," said Daniel Becker, GRTL PAC Director. "These elections can be directly attributed to the many active county chapters of Georgia Right to Life," said Caryl Swift, president of the organization. "Chapters are the key to educating our communities and to identifying pro-life citizens in every county who will support strong candidates on Election Day." In an important election to fill the state senate seat of pro-life Senator Casey Cagle, three Republicans vied for the nomination. GRTL PAC endorsed political underdog Lee Hawkins who won the seat in an "upset" run-off by a 16 percent margin of victory. "The last minute postcard produced by the GRTL PAC was successful in communicating the difference between the candidates to our base," said Becker.
University of Texas Regents Authorize Millions for Stem Cell Research Center
Houston, TX (LifeNews.com) — The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on Thursday allocated a total of $77.1 million to three new construction projects at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. A total $41.1 million will create a Biomedical Research and Education Center, which will be the primary home for adult stem cell research and teaching. The planned $62 million facility will contain laboratories, support spaces, multipurpose conference rooms and office space. The center will likely be used for both embryonic and adult stem cell research studies.
New York Couple Gives University of Rochester 1M for Stem Cell Research
Rochester, NY (LifeNews.com) — A Brighton, New York couple recently donated $1 million specifically for stem cell research at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Jack A. Erdle, founder of Eldre Corp. in Henrietta, and his wife, Norma made the donation. They didn’t specify what kind of stem cell research the money should be used on but Peter Robinson, the University of Rochester Medical Center’s chief operating officer said it will likely be spent, at least in part, on embryonic stem cell research. The Erdles, whose company makes parts for electrical systems in airplanes, trains and computers, also donated $1 million to the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1998. The University of Rochester Medical Center has received more than $40 million from the National Institutes of Health toward its stem cell research but most of that funding has been on adult stem cells.
