A conversation with Ron Reagan
He supports stem cell research. Would his father have?
Ronald P. Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan, became an active
supporter of embryonic stem cell research after his father was diagnosed
with Alzheimer's disease, growing more vocal since his father's
death in June. Most recently, Reagan, an MSNBC analyst and self-described
liberal, used a prime-time slot at the Democratic National Convention
in Boston to address stem cell research. Stanford's Paul Costello,
executive director of the medical school's Office of Communication
& Public Affairs, spoke with him recently about his advocacy efforts.
Since the Democratic convention, you've received a lot
of feedback pro and con. What stands out?
Reagan: Mostly that the feedback is very pro, although you expect to
get a few hate letters. But starting while I was in Boston, people on
the street would stop me and thank me for doing this, which was unnecessary.
I felt fortunate to have the opportunity.
Was it an out-of-body experience for Nancy Reagan to watch a
Reagan at a Democratic convention?
Reagan: (Laughing) I didn't ask her that question, but she seemed
to be a proud mother and thought it was just fine. She thought I looked
good in my suit.
You've led a pretty non-political life, but you've
now jumped to advocacy. Is that something you ever imagined yourself doing?
Reagan: Not really. I've never tried to put myself out there as
an advocate because it seemed like I'd be taking unfair advantage
of my name. When my mother became more involved [in advocating stem cell
research], that sort of smoothed the way. It's not just embryonic
stem cell research, either. There are stances this administration has
taken that are terribly anti-science and anti-intellectual that really
offend me.
Are you concerned that advocates are overselling the promise
of stem cell research?
Reagan: No, actually. I think it's good to get people excited because
the potential is there and the potential, if it's realized, is extraordinary.
But you have to be careful to state it as just that -- it's
potential. The research is fundamental and preliminary and we don't
know exactly how it's going to turn out.
What do you tell those who oppose stem cell research on moral
grounds?
Reagan: They have every right to do so if that's how they feel.
However, I think that if you're going to make a moral argument you
have to be morally consistent, so you'd better be out campaigning
against in-vitro fertilization clinics because they're destroying
similar early stage embryos by the thousands. I also think you have to
make people understand that we are talking about a collection of undifferentiated
cells -- not a small fetus. They think we're talking about
a tiny little baby and, of course, we're not.
How do you respond to critics who say that your father wouldn't
have supported stem cell research?
Reagan: He's not around to speak for himself and I won't
speak for him. I don't think anybody else has that right either.
If anybody does, it would be my mother and she seems to think that he
would have supported stem cell research. I choose to take her word for
that -- not somebody who barely knew my father, if at all.
How's your mom doing?
Reagan: She's doing pretty well. She's got a new dog, Duchess,
which is a nice thing. What she'd been going through for the last
10 years or so really does drain you. But I think now she's been
able to rest a little more and come to grips with things.
How will you continue to use your prominence to push the debate
forward?
Reagan: It's my fervent hope that there will be no need to be doing
this after Nov. 2 because the government will be behind embryonic stem
cell research. John Kerry has promised me that the first thing he'll
do if he's elected is sign an executive order reversing the Bush
administration's policies on stem cells. If that happens, our worries,
hopefully, will be over.
And if it doesn't?
Reagan: Then we'll just keep fighting. I'll keep speaking.
I've got something of a soapbox on television and I can use that
where it's appropriate and do what I can.
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