Richard Cohen

Scientists believe that stem cells can be controlled and used to replace diseased organs and tissues in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. On August 9, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that he would allow research only on existing human embryonic stem cell lines, provided that the stem cells came from embryos that no longer had the possibility of developing as human beings. In the following viewpoint, Richard Cohen asserts that limiting embryonic stem cell research is unethical because these studies may help save the lives of many people. According to Cohen, President Bush’s decision to restrict research on embryos—based on the position that embryos are human beings—disregards the laws of nature and could cost many people their lives. Cohen is an op-ed...