In a startling turn of events, His Excellency the Governor has told the New York Times that he plans to file a bill that would make it a crime to engage in stem cell research that involves the creation of human embryos for experimentation.
The Times reports that Dr. Douglas Melton, co-director of the newly-created Harvard Stem Cell Institute, views Romney’s proposal as "disastrous" and as tantamount to saying that "we do not want to let scientists get at the root causes of these diseases" such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and others (including multiple sclerosis, from which Romney’s wife suffers) seen as candidates for stem cell-based treatments or cures. Romney confirmed that under his bill, Melton’s research "would be decidedly against the law."
The Times notes that Romney’s surprising about-face (he had previously expressed support for stem cell research and had not publicly noted these concerns, much less suggested that research could be criminalized) "may be more calibrated to a national stage." Indeed — if Romney wants to curry favor with national Republicans, he needs to burnish his wingnut credentials. This seems to be a step in that direction — one that, if successful, threatens to jeopardize Massachusetts’ status as a leader in groundbreaking scientific research.
The truth is seeping out, folks. No moderate he: our Governor will trash Massachusetts (as he did shilling for Bush), throw scientists in jail, and apparently do whatever else it takes to get himself ready to run for President. This guy MUST be booted in 2006.
