Former Speaker reverses stand on stem cell research

BOSTON Former Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, who opposed embryonic stem cell research while on Beacon Hill, now says state lawmakers should support the research in order for the Bay State to keep up with California.

California passed a law last week creating a $3 billion, 10-year fund to subsidize stem cell research, which some believe could lead to cures for afflictions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries.

"What California has done is it has made a very bold and dramatic statement," Finnernan, now president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, told a gathering of pharmaceutical engineers Tuesday.

"With me no longer on the field, the dynamic has definitely changed" in the state legislature, Finneran said.

Finneran has said before that his opposition to stem cell research originated not from his beliefs as a pro-life Catholic, but from a lack of information. (source)

What a dumfounding statement. Exactly what information has he now received that justifies the slaughter of human persons in embryonic stem-cell research? It seems more like he is denying information so as to justify the battle for research dollars. This is just keeping up with the scientific Jones' in California and a sad statement for anyone who identifies themselves as a pro-life Catholic.

Update and correction: This from The Boston Rescuer:

Former Speaker of the MA House, Tom Finneran, called this morning and spoke to Maria Parker and me to assure us that the report in this morning's Boston Herald (John Strahinich, "Finneran now backs stem cell: New job, 'new info', new position", Boston Herald, Nov. 10, 2004), is inaccurate. Mr. Finneran assured us that he has not changed his position and does not support embryonic stem cell research. His speech that the Herald reporter witnessed yesterday did not mention the stem cell issue at all, according to Mr. Finneran, and in response to the reporter's questions after his speech, Mr. Finneran told Maria and me that he acknowledged the obvious fact that since he is no longer the Speaker of the House the climate will be different. His view remains, Mr. Finneran told us, that Massachusetts should not feel obliged to compete with California on the embryonic stem cell front, especially with the promise and success of adult stem cell research. Instead, he will continue to stress that such factors as affordable housing, strengthened educational measures, and expedited permitting will be key to the success of the biotech industry as a whole in MA.