Bumping heads with anti-abortion supporters, the American Heart Association (AHA) voted yesterday to back embryonic stem-cell research, which AHA called “the most promising medical and scientific research” to combat heart disease and stroke. According to the Associated Press, AHA officials believe that stem-cell research could shed light on possible treatments and cures for heart disease, strokes and other cardiovascular ailments which affect 128 million Americans. The federal government currently forbids the funding of any medical research that uses fetal tissue.
The Feminist Majority Foundation applauds the move by the American Heart Association to advance research on stem-cells. “The possible benefits to both heart and stroke victims, as well as people suffering from cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and spinal cord injuries, show the tragic consequences of the anti-abortion efforts to impede stem-cell research,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. Science, not politics, should consistently rule in possible medical breakthroughs.
