(CNSNews.com) - A new 60-second nationwide radio ad for GOP presidential candidate John McCain and vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin promising “millions more” dollars in federal research involving stem cells is raising questions, particularly among pro-life conservatives, because the ad is vague about what kind of stem cell research the McCain campaign is officially endorsing.
The ad, which was paid for by the McCain-Palin campaign and the Republican National Committee, trumpets Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) support for stem-cell research. The advertisement promises that “McCain and his congressional allies” will expand federal funding to “unlock the mystery of cancer, diabetes (and) heart disease, to help free families from the fear and devastation of illness.”
The GOP platform, which was adopted at the party’s convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, only supports research utilizing adult stem cells. It condemns the use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes.
According to the platform, federal funding of biomedical research “must be based on sound science” and favors stem cell research “without the destruction of human embryonic life.”
CNSNews.com contacted both the McCain-Palin campaign and the Republican National Committee to ask them about the ad – and what kind of stem-cell research is being advocated. Neither organization would comment.
In August, McCain told Pastor Rick Warren in a nationally televised interview from Saddleback Church in California that human rights begin “at the moment of conception.”
According to the McCain campaign Web site, the Republican nominee – who claims a 25-year pro-life voting record – opposes “the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes.”
However, while he was campaigning for the GOP nomination, McCain professed his belief in the promise of embryonic stem cell research.
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issues analysis at Focus on the Family Action, said that support is well-documented – and in conflict with the position of his running mate, Sarah Palin.
“Most certainly there is pressure from his own party to move away from that division,” Earll told CNSNews.com. “Both Senator McCain’s Web site and this ad are consistent in that he is pointing to alternatives to destroying embryos. Only John McCain knows, as president, what he will do in [actually] funding destructive embryo research.”
Stem cells obtained from adult humans have been widely acclaimed for their ability to promote human health and stave off dreaded illnesses. Stem cells obtained from human embryos, however, have not been successful in yielding results in scientific research thus far.
Embryonic stem cell research also results in the testing, freezing, and disposal of embryos – a practice that is widely condemned by pro-life advocacy groups, including the American Life League (ALL).
ALL is “totally opposed” to embryonic stem cell research because it “results in the death of a person,” said the group’s spokesman Jim Sedlak.
“We encourage pro-life voters around the country to study every candidate for every office and to understand where they stand on the issues that affect human life,” Sedlak said.