Reagan calls for stem cell research

BOSTON -- Ron Reagan, the son of the most sanctified Republican president in modern history, opened his address at the Democratic National Convention last night with an improbable declaration.

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"Let me assure you, I am not here to make a political speech, and the topic at hand should not -- must not -- have anything to do with partisanship," Reagan told the 4,964 delegates who by definition are partisan.

Yet they didn't seem to mind.

Reagan came to talk about the promise of stem cell research and the need to remove barriers to its full development. The use of stem cells is universally considered the most encouraging breakthrough for the cures of such ravaging diseases as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and Parkinson's disease.

Political differences are blocking the way to its broader use. Reagan, whose father died of Alzheimer's disease last month, condemned those opponents.

"There are those who would stand in the way of this remarkable future, who would deny the federal funding so crucial to basic research," said the 46-year-old Reagan, who moved to Seattle 10 years ago with his wife.

"They argue that interfering with the development of even the earliest stage embryo, even one that will never be implanted in a womb and will never develop into an actual fetus, is tantamount to murder," he said.

And to underscore the real-life implications of embryonic stem cell research, Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., introduced Reagan. Langevin was paralyzed in 1980 when he was accidentally shot while two police officers were examining a handgun they thought was unloaded.

The bullet hit his spine, leaving him a quadriplegic at age 16. Langevin wanted to be a policeman, but after being shot he decided on politics and in 2000 he became the first quadriplegic elected to Congress.

Unspoken, but known to all in the FleetCenter, of course, is that Republicans have blocked the use of stem cells following a policy adopted by President Bush in 2001. Republicans in Congress continue to block the wide use of stem cell therapy. Opponents say the use of embryonic stem cells would encourage abortions.

To that, Reagan offered this response. "It does not follow that the theology of a few should be allowed to forestall the health and well-being of the many. And how can we affirm life if we abandon those whose own lives are so desperately at risk?"

Reagan further acknowledged the division by citing a 13-year-old girl with diabetes.

"What excuse will we offer this young woman should we fail her now?" he said. "What might we tell her children? Or the millions of others who suffer? That when given an opportunity to help, we turned away? That facing political opposition, we lost our nerve?"

While Reagan tried to side-step politics, his appearance at the convention delighted Democratic organizers. Aides said they hope Reagan's speech would persuade independents and even some Republicans to vote for Kerry.

"In a few months, we will face a choice," he said. "Yes, between two candidates and two parties, but more than that. We have a chance to take a giant stride forward for the good of all humanity. We can choose between the future and the past, between reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology. This is our moment, and we must not falter."