Conservative Groups Object To Surgeon General Nominee Holsinger Because Of Cloning, Stem Cell Research Statements

The Family Research Council and other conservative groups are "objecting strongly" to President Bush's nominee for surgeon general, James Holsinger, for previous statements he made in support of loosening regulations on cloning and human embryonic stem cell research, the Washington Times reports.

Tom McCluskey, vice president for government affairs at FRC, said that Holsinger at a Kentucky Legislature committee hearing in 2002 "testified in support of loosening regulations around cloning and embryonic stem cell research." He added that FRC is "not supportive of [Holsinger's] nomination right now" because "the surgeon general is such a strong bully pulpit position that we want to be sure" of his stance.

White House spokesperson Emily Lawrimore said that Holsinger's 2002 testimony against the ban on cloning was because "he felt that the penalties proposed in the bill were disproportionately severe on patients and researchers." She added that "[s]ince 2002, there have been significant advances in new techniques for potentially deriving pluripotent stem cells without cloning or destroying embryos. As such, Dr. Holsinger believes the president's cloning policy is appropriate" (Ward, Washington Times, 7/9).

Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research currently is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by Bush on that date (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/20). According to Lawrimore, Holsinger would not help formulate stem cell or cloning policy. Holsinger's "main focus will be childhood obesity, so he will not be involved in determining policy related to stem cell research," Lawrimore said (Washington Times, 7/9).

Holsinger has served as secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and as chancellor of the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. He also had a 26-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs and served for more than 30 years in the Army Reserve. The term of the previous surgeon general, Richard Carmona, expired last summer, and Bush nominated Holsinger in May. Some lawmakers and gay and lesbian advocacy groups have raised concern about his position on gay-rights issues (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 6/11).

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) -- chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will hold a confirmation hearing for Holsinger on Thursday -- said he is "disappointed" with Bush's nomination because Holsinger is "an individual whose record appears to guarantee a polarizing and divisive nomination process." According to the Times, there "appears to be little overt support" for Holsinger among the HELP committee's 21 members (Washington Times, 7/9).

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