In budget debates over the last few weeks, Ohio's legislature has become embroiled in the stem-cell research issue. This weekend, the Conference Committee placed back into the budget bill language that will totally prohibit the use of so-called Third Frontier state funding for stem cell research. What is particularly interesting here, however, are the arguments used by a leading proponent of stem cell research, State Senator Eric Fingerhut. In addition to the usual countering of religious opposition with secular arguments, Fingerhut increasingly used religious arguments to advance the cause of such research. Quoted in the Warren Tribune-Chronicle last week, Fingerhut said:
"There is one religious perspective that is opposed to [stem cell research]. I respect that perspective, but it does not represent the religious view of a majority of Ohioans. My faith [Jewish] and many Protestant denominations all believe the same God that created embryos also created the skill of scientists to do research and commands us to try to save life through this research. There is an ethical and moral obligation to do the research, and I do not believe the state should take the position of one religious domination over another. God created stem cell research.''
By the way, the blog Stem Cellular has an archive page devoted solely to the issue in Ohio.
