Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Legislation

Posted on July 19, 2006

In his first-ever use of the presidential veto power, President vetoed the legislation which would provide federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, striking a blow for religious zealots everywhere who are determined to turn the U.S. into a second, and then a third-world country. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act passed in the Senate but was votoed by the president.

Bush said in a statement, "We must also remember that embryonic stem cells come from human embryos that are destroyed for their cells. Each of these human embryos is a unique human life with inherent dignity and matchless value."

Polls consistently show that a majority of Americans want federal funding for stem cell research and they want it now, not later. But President Bush appears determined to make sure that America falls behind the rest of the world in scientific advances. Japan, for one, is already way ahead of us on this issue which could potentially provide a cure for diabetes, some cancers, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Karl Rove spewed forth nonsense claiming that stem cells from adult stem cells are just as good as embryonic stem cells. The Chicago Tribune reported that White House spokesman Ken Lisaius failed to provide the name of a stem cell researcher "who shares Rove's views on the superior promise of adult stem cells."

Look for stem cell research funding to become a campaign issue in the midterms.