Congressman Touts Stem-Cell Lab Tour Despite Opposing Stem …

Rep. Mike Coffman is on record opposing embryonic stem-cell research, but that didnt stop the Colorado Republican from touring a stem-cell laboratory at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and tweeting, Happy to get the chance to tour the Stem Cell Research facility.

A spokesman forthe school, which is located inCoffmans district,confirmed that the stem-cell facility visited by Coffman November 8 uses stem cells obtained from human embryos.

In 2008 and 2010, Coffman supported Colorados failed personhood initiatives, which aimed to define life as beginning at conception, when embryos form, and would have banned not only embryonic stem-cell research but also all abortions and some common forms of birth control.

Coffmans November 8 tweet about his tour of the stem-cell facility included a photo of the Congressman viewing laboratory machines.

This is a whats wrong with this picture situation, said Karen Middleton, executive director of Pro-Choice Colorado, in an emailoffering a responseto Coffmans tweet. Mike Coffmans support for anti-choice personhood measures and his opposition to stem-cell research dont really fit here. If he is sincere about supporting women and science, he needs to issue a statement about his new policy position, not just stage a photo-op.

Coffmans office did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Coffmans opposition to embryonic stem-cell research wasspotlighted in a political advertisement by the House Majority Project during the 2012 election, which Coffman won by a 2 percent margin over Democratic challenger Joe Miklosi.

A fact check of the ad by 9News, Denvers local NBC affiliate, confirmed Coffmans opposition to embryonic stem-cell research.

9News reported, This year, Congressman Coffman was asked point blank by Colorado Right to Life, Will you oppose any research or practice that would intentionally destroy the tiniest living humans, embryonic stem cell research? With a pen he wrote, Yes.

9News also reported, A spokesperson says, he isnt against stem-cell research in general, just embryonic, because the cells are harvested from embryos, and he says,thatis a human life.

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Congressman Touts Stem-Cell Lab Tour Despite Opposing Stem ...