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NJ Assemblyman Proposes Legislation that Could Fund Embryonic Research through Back Door

Trenton, NJ, July 18, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Despite last year's referendum in which the public soundly defeated a measure to give public funding to research that destroys human embryos, a New Jersey assemblyman has introduced legislation that could do just that.

Last November, New Jersey voters rejected a scheme to borrow $450 million for stem cell research, including embryonic stem cell research.

Now, however, Assemblyman Neil Cohen has announced plans to introduce legislation to create the "New Jersey Stem Cell Research Assistance Program," purporting to jumpstart financing for stem cell research in the State. The plan would include taxpayer assistance for private investors when research institutions default on loans. The proposal also would expand the authority of the Economic Development Authority and the Commission on Science and Technology.

A recent report, however, suggests that the proposal will violate the will of New Jersey's voters on embryonic stem cell research. The current edition of NJ BIZ reports, "Under Cohen's plan, the money raised would be used to extend loans to stem cell research, and there could later be funding for embryonic stem cell research."

"We will urge opposition to this and any other stealth effort to circumvent the will of the people unless there is a guarantee expressly written into the legislation that this proposal shall never include funding for embryonic stem cell research," stated Marie Tasy, Executive Director of New Jersey Right to Life.

"As presently written, this proposal sets the foundation to later enact an end-run around the voters to fund embryonic stem cell research," Tasy said.

Assemblyman Jay Webber added his voice to those criticizing Cohen's legislation. While he said he is "heartened" that the State appears to be "turning its attention to effective and morally acceptable research with adult stem cells," Webber continued,  "I also remain opposed to any effort to put New Jersey on a path toward taxpayer-funded embryonic stem cell experimentation, which New Jersey voters wisely rejected last Fall. Trenton lawmakers should not seek to achieve through the backdoor what they lost at the ballot box, and I will stand with like-minded Members of the Legislature to oppose such efforts."
 
Assemblyman Mike Doherty concurred. "Last year, the voters of New Jersey said NO to government-sponsored stem cell research. Unfortunately, Assemblyman Cohen and his supporters do not understand that NO really means NO. The proposed legislation ignores the express will of the voters and will result in the State of New Jersey subsidizing research activities that the voters do not want.

"Let the private sector fund medical research. This legislation will also open the door to government-subsidized embryonic stem cell research. New Jersey is broke. The last thing we need to do is grow the size of state government and spend money that we do not have on controversial medical research."

Several other members of the assembly also expressed their opposition to Cohen's legislation, including Michael Corroll, John Rooney, and Alison Littell McHose.

"It is both fiscally and morally irresponsible for government to be involved in trying to surreptitiously subsidize stem cell research that has never produced cures and involves the destruction of human embryos, especially after receiving such an overwhelming and resounding rejection by the voters last November," stated Assemblyman Michael Carroll.

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