WP: Kerry on Attack on Embryonic Research Issue

[Dudley_DUright]

Seizing an issue with overwhelming bipartisan support, the Kerry campaign is marking the third anniversary of President Bush's decision to limit federal embryonic stem cell research with a series of high-profile events this week that call into question the administration's commitment to science and breakthrough medicine.

Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.), building on a theme he and Ronald Prescott Reagan introduced at the Democratic National Convention, is launching the latest attack Saturday in the weekly Democratic radio address, pledging that when he takes office the Bush restrictions will be lifted and he will "stand up for science."

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Members of the recently formed Scientists and Engineers for Kerry intend to tour college campuses and research institutions making the case that it is in their interest to work on behalf of the Democratic ticket.

On Monday, prominent scientists, several patients and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) will critique the Bush policy; on Tuesday, members of Doctors for Kerry will appear in New Hampshire with former governor Jeanne Shaheen to highlight the medical promise of embryonic stem cells. Other events are scheduled throughout the week in battleground states including Arizona, Florida, Missouri and North Carolina.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47931-2004Aug7_2.html

[Dudley_DUright]

1. More on Scientists and Engineers for Kerry

Meanwhile, a group of senior scientific leaders is close to launching "Scientists and Engineers for Kerry." Among the group's goals: galvanize voters in battleground states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania that are home to large hospitals, research campuses and medical institutions that employ tens of thousands of potential voters.

The coalition is being organized by a group including Harold Varmus,
president of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York; Henry Kelly, president of the Federation of American Scientists; and Gilbert Omenn, the president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. All three are informal policy advisers to the Kerry campaign and veterans of past Democratic administrations. Dr. Varmus worked in the Clinton administration as the head of NIH.

"This group is going to be very active around the country," drumming up interest on campuses and organizing speeches by Nobel winners, Dr. Kelly says.

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http://www.rchusid.addr.com/scientists_take_to_the_streets_a.htm