National Review on Blunt

The conservative National Review took Governor Matt Blunt to task today for his positioning on the embryonic stem cell research.

In truth, there is a sincere disagreement between most pro-lifers and Gov. Blunt. ... Unfortunately, his position is an incoherent mess.

Has Gov. Blunt thought this issue through? Does he care about the merits? Or does he just want Missouri’s biotech industry to thrive and to be grateful to him? These are not, in themselves, illegitimate goals. But Blunt’s political “game playing” — to borrow a phrase — is not a good reason to allow the destruction of human beings in the early stages of development, however they were created.

This is an expanding debate and it will continue to spark tensions among conservatives and Republicans as they try to balance out their their position between business and social conservative interests. There is little chance they will be able to satisfy both.

An extended note: there is no backing away from this issue, South Korean and British scientists are already moving ahead with their own programs. Whether the U.S. likes it or not, this research is progressing and the U.S. can either take a lead and set the standard that reflects a reasoned and ethical approach, or we can wait till the products of other countries efforts (new life-saving, reduced-rejection organ transfers, age-extending techniques, etc.) become available on the open market.