DENVER—Democrat Hillary Clinton added the House’s leading advocate for embryonic stem cell research to her presidential campaign on Monday when she named Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette as a health adviser.
DeGette was the chief sponsor of a bill to overturn President Bush’s ban on federal financing for embryonic stem cell research that Democrats pushed shortly after taking the majority in Congress in 2006. The attempt failed.
DeGette said Monday she had already begun talking to Clinton about the stem cell issue.
She will be a national co-chair of Clinton’s Health Care Policy Task Force.
“I admire Diana’s tireless commitment to unlocking the potential of stem cell research and expanding health care access for all Americans,” Clinton said in a written statement. “I’m honored to have her support and delighted she’ll help lead our efforts in Colorado.”
DeGette’s appointment came six days after scientists announced a breakthrough on stem cell research that some considered a vindication for the president’s vetoes on stem-cell research.
The scientists said they made regular human cells match the healing potential of stem cells, sidestepping the ethical debate over harvesting stem cells from embryos—the earliest stages of human life.
DeGette said congress should not be “playing God” by selecting one kind of research over another in what scientists say is the best hope for curing illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
“I was thrilled to see the announcement last week,” DeGette said. “But it doesn’t change the issue. There are other types of research that is much further along.”
Analysts said the breakthrough is not likely to change the debate soon.
“The argument took a new turn, but it is not one that is going to end this debate in the short run,” said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public ap.
Scientists have said it could be years before the new research results in new treatments.
University of Denver political science professor Seth Masket said DeGette will be an asset for Clinton’s campaign.
“Stem cells have been a wedge issue only in that it divided the Republican Party,” he said.
The move makes DeGette the first of Colorado’s Democratic delegation to back a presidential candidate.
Republican National Committee spokesman Paul Lindsay said Clinton’s health policies will hurt her in Colorado.
“Voters in Colorado will reject Hillary Clinton’s candidacy along with her plan for government-run health care that would be paid for by massive tax increases on working families in the state,” he said.
Among Colorado Republicans, Rep. Tom Tancredo is running for president and Sen. Wayne Allard is backing Mitt Romney.
