COHEN: REPUBLICANS HAVE EXPLAINING TO DO
ON STEM-CELL RESEARCH LAWSUIT

(ROSELLE) - Assembly Deputy Speaker Neil M. Cohen today said Republican lawmakers who opposed giving the public the opportunity to vote on a $450 million stem cell research bond fund should declare if they support New Jersey
Right-to-Life's efforts to block the November 6 referendum.

Noting how Assembly Republicans cast 24 "no" votes on the stem cell bill (S-1091/A-3186), Cohen said the GOP has a second lease on life to show New Jersey residents whether they stand on the side of people needing medical cures or on the side of extremists who will stop at nothing to block scientific progress.

"Are Assembly Republicans lock step with President Bush and the anti-stem cell extremists, or are they courageous enough to take stand so New Jersey residents can authorize investment in new avenues of 21st Century medicine," said Cohen (D-Union), the lead Assembly sponsor of the stem-cell bond referendum.  "Do they support this frivolous lawsuit or don't they?"

Cohen noted that polls show the vast majority of New Jersey residents support stem-cell research.  He cited a July Quinnipiac Poll that found 71 percent of residents support stem-cell research and 65 percent support making New Jersey a national leader in such research.  The poll also found 68 percent of residents oppose President Bush's ongoing efforts to block embryonic stem cell research.

"My Republican colleagues should put aside ideology and join stem-cell supporters on the pathway to healing the suffering of people with incurable diseases and untreatable injuries," said Cohen.
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