President Donald Trump‘s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., asserted during a three-hour confirmation hearing that tissue from preborn children is not necessary for stem cell research.
Appearing before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee for a confirmation hearing last week, the nominee fielded questions from Republicans and Democrats concerning various topics, such as his views on abortion and vaccines.
During the hearing, Sen. Maria Cantwell, asked Kennedy if he would support stem cell research for scientific agencies.
Kennedy replied, “I will protect stem cell research, and today, stem cell research can be done on umbilical cords. You don’t need fetal tissue.”
Proponents of stem cell research argue that it is necessary for the development of treatments and cures for diseases, but the use of human embryos makes it controversial. Opponents of stem cell research object to the destruction of human embryos, asserting that ethical alternatives are available.
Research from the Charlotte Lozier Institute states, “In contrast to adult stem cells, there is currently no validated, successful patient treatment due to embryonic stem cells despite funding and research spanning a decade and a half.”