WASHINGTON, D.C.—Just days before the death of President Ronald W. Reagan, 58 members of the United States Senate wrote to President George W. Bush asking that he relax federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell experimentation. Their voices joined that of Nancy Reagan who endorsed such experimentation after her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said this issue “is especially poignant given President Reagan’s passing.” She said experimentation “might hold the key to a cure for Alzheimer’s and other terrible diseases.”

“We would very much like to work with you to modify the current embryonic stem cell policy so that it provides this area of research the greatest opportunity to lead to the treatments and cures for which we are all hoping,” the senators wrote in the letter to the President. It was signed by 43 Democrats, 14 Republicans, and the single independent, some of whom claim to be pro-life. In April 2004, 206 members of the House of Representatives sent a similar letter to the White House.

Bush signed an executive order in August 2001 limiting federal funding for embryonic stem cell experimentation to the 78 stem cell lines in existence. But the letter complains that only 19 lines are now available and they are contaminated with mouse feeder cells, which casts doubt on their usability. It is important to note that the President’s executive order does not outlaw stem cell experimentation. It concerns only federal funding of such work.

Among those signing the letter to the President were Senators Arlen Specter, R-Penn., John F. Kerry, D-Mass., Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, John McCain, R-Ariz., Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Trent Lott, R-Miss., John Warner, R-Virg., Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., and Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah.

“Maybe one of the small blessings that will come from (Reagan’s) passing will be a greater opportunity for Nancy to work on this issue, which of course means so much to her,” Hatch said. “I believe that it’s going to be pretty tough for anybody not to have empathy for her feelings on this issue.”

The former First Lady is expected to spend the bulk of her time trying to change government policy relating to embryonic stem cell experimentation. She will not be joined by son Michael Reagan, however. "I'm getting a little tired of the media's insistence on reporting that the Reagan 'family' is in favor of stem cell research," he said, "when the truth is that two members of the family have been long time foes of this process of manufacturing human beings--my dad, Ronald Reagan during his lifetime, and me."

A White House spokesman said the President believes “we should not cross a fundamental moral line by funding or encouraging the destruction of human embryos. The President does not believe that life should be created for the sole purpose of destroying it.” However, the spokesman also said the President “remains committed” to exploring the “promise and potential” of stem cell experimentation, which he believes can be accomplished using existing lines of stem cells.

Scientists who want taxpayer money continue to imply that the key to curing or treating countless numbers of diseases lies in embryonic stem cell experimentation. Yet there is absolutely no evidence—none whatsoever—to support such a claim. But LDI President Douglas R. Scott warned against overemphasizing this point. “What happens if true potential to cure or treat disease is eventually demonstrated? Even if there were positive proof, it would still be wrong to kill one living human being to help another. Was it acceptable for Nazis to use the parts of and experiment, or should I say ‘conduct research,’ on Jews? Of course not; anyone making such a suggestion, even in passing, would be vilified—and rightly so.”

“It was heart wrenching to see Nancy Reagan yearn for the Ronald Reagan she so fondly remembers,” Scott said. “We can all understand her pain and grief. We can certainly relate to her desire to do something about Alzheimer’s. But God clearly wants to teach us all something about caring for those with Alzheimer’s or any debilitating condition.”

“The disease brought the Reagan family back together, ending decades of rancor,” Scott said. “We can only pray that Mrs. Reagan and all Americans will open their eyes and ears to see what God wants to teach.” Scott said he does not believe that God gives Alzheimer’s to anyone, but He can teach us and show us His grace and mercy throughout the ordeal.

Scott’s grandmother suffered from dementia in her later years. “Her final years were difficult for everyone; we suffered from her dementia as well as she did. But we loved her no less, we visited her, we held her hand, we kissed her cheeks, and we learned so much—about our grandmother, about ourselves, and about our loving God.”

Scott noted that when Peggy Noonan, a Reagan speech writer, visited the ailing President in his last days, the only thing he could understand was the touch of her hand on his and the expression of love that came with it. “And isn’t that the most important thing of all? That is exactly what the President needed,” Scott said.