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Most GOP White House hopefuls oppose stem cell bill |
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By Jeffrey Young
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Posted: 04/10/07 08:06 PM [ET] |
In contrast to Democratic hopefuls’ unanimous support, all but two Republican contenders oppose federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Embryonic stem cell research is opposed strongly by many conservatives who oppose abortion rights because it involves the destruction of human embryos.
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), who opposes abortion rights, supports funding the research, and reportedly so does former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, an abortion-rights supporter.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney neither opposes the research nor supports federal funding for it, a position similar to President Bush’s. As governor, Romney vetoed a bill to fund the research but has expressed support for private efforts, to the consternation of some conservatives.
Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Rep. Duncan Hunter (Calif.), Rep. Ron Paul (Texas), Rep. Tom Tancredo (Colo.), former Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.) and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson all oppose federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
All of the Democratic contenders favor setting aside federal dollars for the research.
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