Our Mormon in Washington

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You've developed a thick skin about criticism.
Well you're wrong about that. It hurts me every time. I just don't show it.

I almost got the sense that the criticism on stem cell stung more. Why is that?
Well I'm very pro-life. Everyone knows that. I'm the only one who brought a constitutional amendment on abortion to the floor of the Senate and House. I've been at the forefront of that battle when the going's been very tough. I've studied [the stem cell question] as intensely as anyone could. It was a very difficult decision. Many sincere people [believe] that eggs at in vitro clinics are potential human beings--and they are--but the fact of the matter is those eggs are going to be discarded, and when they're discarded they're going to die. And at that stage no neurological development has occurred.

These cells might treat or cure heart disease, cancer, Alzheimers, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis. There's a little fellow in Utah named Corey Anderson. His grandfather died at 48 after having his legs and feet removed. He had a horrible life--28 operations--because he had sugar diabetes. This little boy has exactly same thing and he's going to go through the same thing unless we can find some way of helping him. And according to every Nobel laureate, this one thing might give him some hope.

You said life begins at implantation because without that human life cannot happen. That standard--`it wouldn't have a chance'-applies to a 10-day-old implanted embryo too. Isn't your position on the slippery slope toward allowing first trimester abortion?
I don't think so because literally once that egg is implanted it's a living human being.

One thing I've never understood about this debate is that the folks arguing against your position are nonetheless fine with the proliferation of fertility clinics.
Well, they weren't fine with it when it started. They were against in vitro. But now 200,000 babies have been born through in vitro fertilization in the United States alone, so they more or less tolerate it.

So it's not a moral position as much as a bowing to practicalities?
I think that's right. And I think this is along the same lines. Why would we allow those blastocysts be thrown away and killed when they could be utilized for life? For me that's the most firm pro-life position. Everywhere I go I have people say, almost sheepishly, "You're right about that."

So do you think Bush should revise his policy?
Yes, naturally I do. Ultimately, President Bush will have to face either legislation that will permit this kind of research to go forward for the benefit of mankind or make a decision himself based on the best science.

When you've prayed on this, how did that affect you?
I'm a great believer that the Lord expects us to do everything in our power, to learn, understand, grow and make up our own minds before he's going to come in and help you to finally make up your mind. I did all of that. And then I have to say through fervent prayer, I feel like this [is] the right thing--and that this is a pro-life stance.