Former GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has become the national spokesman for a campaign to raise money for an Iowa-based research center that uses adult stem cells.

“It is so vitally important to promote life and promote the dignity of all human life and to be someone who stands for ethical scientific research, ethical scientific treatments,” Santorum said during a news conference Wednesday in eastern Iowa (video link here).

Officials at The John Paul II Stem Cell Research Institute in Iowa City say adult stem cells are a “non-controversial” alternative to research that uses embryonic stem cells to find cures for diseases. Santorum said he “jumped at the opportunity” to promote adult stem cell research instead.

“There is an ethical way of dealing this, of providing the stem cells that are necessary that will actually create cures,” Santorum said. “It’s not as dynamic or as sexy as embryonic stem cell research, but is solves an important category of diseases, cancer being one of them.”

Bob Vander Plaats of The Family Leader — a well-known Christian conservative who endorsed Santorum before the 2008 Iowa Caucuses — said researchers always want to “push the envelope” and limiting stem cell research to adult stems cells curbs that tendency.

“We are for ethical research,” Vander Plaats said during the news conference, “God-honoring research.”

The Iowa City facility plans to use part of the money raised in its fund-drive to build a “blood bank” so pregnant women can donate their newborn’s cord blood for research.

Santorum wrapped up a two-day swing through Iowa last night with a “thank you” event for supporters in central Iowa. He also helped two GOP congressional candidates from eastern Iowa raise money for their campaigns.