The New Jersey Family Policy Council submitted testimony today calling on the Assembly Appropriations Committee to reject A2828 because the legislation would fund stem cell research that would include embryonic cells obtained through the destruction of human life at early stages. “A2828 would be funded by borrowing more money, 150 million initially, when our state is currently reeling from huge budget deficits and recently enacted increases in taxes to close the gaps,” stated Len Deo, President. 

“Polls do in fact show support for stem cell research.  However, most people do not support embryonic stem cell research, once they understand the difference between embryonic and adult (non-embryonic) cells.  A 2001 poll conducted by International Communications Research, revealed that Americans strongly prefer funding non-embryonic research that does not destroy human life, by a margin of 61% to 23%,” Deo stated. 

No one really knows whether embryonic stem cells will work better – or work at all in curing patients, based on the dismal results thus far and the fact that no human has yet benefited from them. 
On the other hand, adult (non-embryonic) stem cells are already being used to treat more than 70 different conditions, and recently there have been reports of more amazing cures like the healing of spinal cords and repairing a hole in the skull bone of a young girl.  Therefore, there is no reason to plunge our state further into debt for the risky venture of embryonic research. 

“There is no need for our tax dollars to support research that is unethical, when we are already saving lives without destroying any in the process.  Ultimately, people want cures for themselves and their loved ones and we can maximize cures by encouraging our government to think of better ways to make greater advances with adult (non-embryonic) stem cells by tax incentives and other indirect incentives instead of incurring more public debt,” Deo added.  

“Once the people of NJ realize that adult (non-embryonic) stem cell research is currently saving lives without destroying life in the process, public opinion will shift.  Not too long ago, a similar shift in public opinion happened concerning partial birth abortion, both nationally and in NJ once the public debate intensified and the general public was educated on the subject,” Deo emphasized.

Finally, it is disingenuous to allocate desperately scarce public funds, potentially having to borrow from future generations to fund the Institutes when the private sector is unwilling to risk money into such highly speculative ventures. The people of New Jersey deserve better when it comes to the financial integrity of their State Government.

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