Rep. Hynes State House Report April, 2005 The last few weeks have been devoted to meetings of newly constituted legislative committees and study, discussion, and debate on stem cell research. This legislative session I serve on three Committees: Ways and Means, Health Care Financing, and Transportation. Ways and Means has held a series of public hearings around the state to solicit information and understanding on the state budget. These meetings offer Senate and House members opportunities to both further their knowledge of budget issues and to hear testimony from local people who are directly affected by the appropriations contained in the state budget, from municipal officials seeking their fair share of Local Aid to members of the disabled community articulating the necessity of services for the quality of their lives. The House budget will be released in mid April and the House of Representatives will formally consider and debate it during the last week of April. The Transportation Committee has begun its work with a review of the Governor's recently announced multi year Transportation Plan and review of the MBTA's FY' 2006 Budget presentation. The Romney Plan proposes a $31 billion investment in all modes of transportation over the next 20 years, based on regional priorities, and consistent with sustainable development principles. I am pleased to report that the efforts of South Shore Legislators played a major role in focusing the Administration's attention on our region's needs. Bridge and roadway repairs, completion of Greenbush, and capacity improvements to Rte. 3, are among proposals contained in this Plan. The MBTA is facing a $10 million deficit in the next year and thus has proposed reductions in certain transit services and elimination of the Night Owl and Suburban Bus Service. The $1.5 million subsidy from the MBTA to the Plymouth and Brockton Bus Line allows the continuation of bus trips to Boston from suburban areas, including several South Shore communities, as well as the almost 25 year old commuter trips from Marshfield High School to and from the Braintree MBTA Station. Several times in the last two decades my intervention has been able to save this important transportation service. I am again working diligently, indeed feverishly, with the MBTA and legislative leaders to save this important transportation service. Stem Cell Research: Should scientists be allowed to conduct embryonic stem cell research? The objective is to find the reasons how and why diseases like Parkinson's, diabetes, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries, cancers, heart disease, develop and whether they can be better treated or even cured. Present law in Massachusetts allows such research but is ambiguous and subject to the local approbation of the District Attorney of the County in which the research is conducted. For several years some legislators have filed bills to structure and regulate this research and take it out of the hands of the District Attorneys and place it within the regulatory structure of the Department of Public Health. The Senate President consolidated these bills, introduced a revised bill, and moved for its approval in the Senate and House. The issue is complex, and engages not only science but religion, philosophy, ethics, and economics. Is injecting a cell into the displaced nucleus of a female human egg creating a life or simply tissue transfer? Should scientific experimentation on this non-fertilized egg be allowed to go on indefinitely? When does life begin? Should surplus embryos harvested from infertile women, anxious to have children, and for various reasons not used, be discarded as medical waste or be used for stem cell research? These were among the questions with which each legislator grappled in giving informed judgment to the matter, as well as re-educating oneself on basic biological realities. Some people's faith dictates that all embryonic stem cell research should be banned because they view all embryos, whether fertilized or not, whether created naturally or in a test tube, as human life. I have genuine respect, even admiration, for those who steadfastly hold this view and act on it. I cannot, however, agree nor demand that our laws of scientific research be subservient exclusively to such fundamental faith based principles. The cloning of an embryo by introducing the stem cell of a diseased patient into the vacant nucleus of a female egg is, in my view, not human life, not a human person. Yet this research, only available since 1998, must be regulated. It must restrict and prevent exploitation and abuse both of women donors and by scientists whose profession always seeks to explore the unknown and the heretofore impossible. Thus the new bill limits the amount of time - two weeks- the research embryo can be grown in the laboratory, prohibits its implantation in the womb and places restriction on the donation of eggs to prevent the exploitation of women. I believe my vote in favor of stem cell research is sound, responsible action. It fosters a positive environment for life sciences research in our state. It puts proper and appropriate safeguards in place to guide decisions when science and ethics collide. It gives hope to many who wait for cures and seek relief from their suffering. Reflection: "The beginning of health is to know the disease." Miguel de Cervantes |