Perkins, Dobson go after Frist

The Grand Ayatollahs of the religious right are registering their profound disapproval of Senator Bill Frist's about-face on embryonic stem-cell research.

Frist has broken with James Dobson, Tony Perkins and President Bush to support expanded federal funding for the science.

Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, expresses his feelings in the tone of a weary sigh.

"Senator Frist's announcement is very disappointing but not a surprise. It is reminiscent of the speech he gave to the 2004 Republican platform committee, where he squelched open debate on the ethics of embryonic stem cell research, as well as a 2001 Senate hearing testimony where he advocated production of hundreds of human embryonic stem cell lines, which would have required destruction of thousands of human embryos.

"As a heart surgeon who knows that adult stem cells are already making huge progress in treating heart disease in humans, it is unfortunate that Sen. Frist would capitulate to the biotech industry.

Dobson, on the other hand, is spoiling for a fight.

"It is an understatement to say that the pro-life community is disappointed by Sen. Frist's decision to join efforts to void President Bush's policy limiting the funding of embryonic stem- cell research. Most distressing is that, in making his announcement, Sen. Frist calls himself a defender of the sanctity of human life -- even though the research he now advocates results, without exception, in the destruction of human life.

"Sen. Frist argues that under the Bush policy, there are insufficient stem-cell lines to maximize what he calls the 'promise' of embryonic stem-cell research. That statement continues the common misconception that embryonic stem cells hold the greatest potential for human healing and therapy. In reality, recently published studies demonstrate that some adult stem cells can form most, if not all, body tissues, just like embryonic cells may be able to do. Furthermore, there will never be a sufficient number of new stem-cell lines to satisfy the sometimes unquenchable thirst for federal money to fund pet projects of researchers. A morally sound line must be drawn at the beginning of this journey into stem-cell research: that no human life is sacrificed for possible or proven scientific gain - period.

"The media have already begun speculating that Sen. Frist's announcement today is designed to improve his chances of winning the White House in 2008 should he choose to run. If that is the case, he has gravely miscalculated. To push for the expansion of this suspect and unethical science will be rightly seen by America's values voters as the worst kind of betrayal (emphasis added) - choosing politics over principle.

Note the threat.

Republican office-holders and office-seekers would be wise to consider themselves on notice. GOP politics will be fascinating to observe in 2006 and 2008. Leaders of the Christian Right are operating under the assumption that they hold the title to the Republican Party. We will see very soon if they are correct.