The Family Research Council reports:Dealing a crippling blow to the push for embryonic stem cell research (ESCR), pro-lifers in New Jersey pulled off a stunning upset on the state ballot initiative that would have given Gov. Jon Corzine (D) [shown at left with a political friend] the authority to borrow $450 million for experimentation that destroys human life. Last night, Gov. Corzine, who spent a small fortune of his own money to lobby for the initiative, refused to concede defeat even when it was obvious that the state had decisively opposed his measure by a margin of 53% to 47%.
The vote, which came as a shock to the initiative's supporters, is yet another indicator of the waning U.S. support for ESCR. Many object on ethical grounds; others refuse to fund a procedure that has yet to produce viable treatments. In New Jersey's case, even fewer were willing to bankrupt the state to make a political point.
Although polling had suggested that the measure would be an easy win for ESCR, the tides have quickly turned. And it couldn't have helped Corzine's case that scientists announced two key victories for the pro-life alternative to ESCR--adult stem cells--one week before the vote. In two separate studies, researchers found that adult stem cells could help repair spinal cord injuries and restore lost memory to patients suffering from brain and spinal disease. Armed with dozens of such successes, pro-life groups and churches blanketed the state with the truth that Corzine's proposal would sanction the destruction of millions of human embryos without any guarantee of medical progress.
This vote marked the first time in 17 years that New Jersey rejected a ballot initiative--and what a remarkable victory for our cause that they did so by taking an unequivocal stand in defense of human life.
