The Ayn Rand Institute's Position of Stem Cell Research

"President Bush's claim that embryonic stem cell research violates 'the dignity of human life' is morally obscene. This research has the potential to rescue millions of individuals from painful and life-threatening diseases. Anyone who places the welfare of a few undifferentiated cells above that of actual human beings cannot claim to value human life.

There are no rational grounds for ascribing rights to an unconscious cluster of cells smaller than a grain of sand. But the opposition to embryonic stem cell research is not based on reason--it's based purely on religious dogma. From the development of anesthesia to the introduction of birth control, religion has consistently opposed scientific and medical progress. Today, with their assaults on evolution, cloning, and stem cell research, the religious right is attempting to drag us back to the Dark Ages.

Anyone who values human life must stand up for science and against President Bush's attempt to impose his religious agenda on America."

Yaron Brook
executive director
Ayn Rand Institute
July 21, 2006