The following are President George W. Bush's and Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry's responses to issue questions posed by The Associated Press.
Stem Cell Research\nQ: What should the federal role be in financing stem-cell research?
President Bush: "I have strongly supported medical research to find new treatments and cures for diseases, and I support pursuing stem-cell research without crossing a fundamental moral line. I decided to provide federal funding, for the first time, to research using human embryonic stem cells. I determined, however, federal funds should not encourage the further destruction of human embryos, adhering to the principle adopted by Congress in 1996 that human embryos merit respect as a form of human life and federal dollars should not encourage their destruction. My administration has provided $35.5 million for research. But there is also a great deal of stem-cell research that does not require the destruction of a living human embryo. Last year, the NIH funded $190 million in 'adult' stem-cell research."
Senator Kerry: "I agree with Nancy Reagan and John McCain that, right now, some of the most pioneering treatments could be right at our fingertips -- but because of George Bush's decision to refuse federal funding for research on stem-cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001, they remain beyond our reach. Stem cell research holds immense promise for millions of Americans suffering from diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer and spinal cord injuries. As president, I will lift the ideologically driven restrictions on stem cell research. And I will fund this research, with at least $100 million a year, while ensuring strict ethical oversight of the research. I know that when we put our best minds to work studying our worst diseases -- time and time again, we find treatments, and cures, and vaccines."
Gun control\nQ: Should the federal government require background checks for buyers at gun shows?
President Bush: "I believe the instant check system is the best way to keep criminals from buying guns at gun shows, and I support changing federal law to give gun show sponsors special access to the National Instant Check System to conduct checks on behalf of non-licensed vendors. My administration is continuing to improve the accuracy, efficiency and reliability of the instant check system and has improved the rate for animmediate decision for a backgroundcheck from 71 percent to 91 percent."
Senator Kerry: "As a gun-owner and lifelong hunter who believes in the Second Amendment, I agree with John McCain and responsible Republicans that we need to close the gun show loophole. The federal government should require rapid background checks for buyers at gun shows so that we can protect the rights of law-abiding Americans and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists."\nCOUNTDOWN TO ELECTION :18 DAYS
