Responding to the question of climate change, Kerry wrote that "the scientific evidence is clear that global warming is already happening and rising levels of global warming pollution are making the problem worse." He proposed that the solution lies in negotiating with and working with other nations.
Although Bush's article in Science noted "key uncertainties remain concerning the underlying causes and nature of climate change," it stated that his agenda aims to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 18% over the next decade through next-generation hydrogen and clean coal technologies.
When asked about the future of embryonic stem-cell lines, Kerry wrote that he would lift the current ban on federal funding of research on stem cell lines created after August 2001.
"Right now, more than 100 million Americans suffer from illnesses that one day could be wiped away with stem-cell therapy, including cancer, Parkinson's, diabetes, and other debilitating diseases."
President Bush is in favor of maintaining current legislation. "We should not use taxpayer money to encourage or endorse the additional destruction of living, human embryos," he writes.
Both candidates are in favor of keeping human cloning, or reproductive cloning illegal.
To read the responses of the candidates on these and other hot-button items such as Visa/Security Issues, Space Policy, Environmental Stewardship, Creationism and Energy Policy, go to: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/rapidpdf/1104420v1.pdf. To download Donald Kennedy's Editorial: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/rapidpdf/1105134v1.pdf
Both items are available in the 1 October 2004 issue of Science.
Robert W
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29-Sep-2004