WASHINGTON (ABP) — For the second time in as many years, President Bush vetoed a bill June 20 that would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research.
However, in order to soften the political impact of nixing the popular legislation, Bush coupled his veto announcement with an executive order designed to promote other kinds of stem-cell research that offer “new possibilities for progress without conflict or ethical controversy.”
Bush vetoed the “Stem-Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007” (S. 5), which the House and Senate earlier passed by wide — but not veto-proof — margins. The bill would have overturned a Bush policy that effectively banned federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research.
“If this legislation became law, it would compel American taxpayers — for the first time in our history — to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos,” Bush said, speaking to reporters after his veto announcement.
Embryonic stem-cell research uses the cells — which begin to form at an early stage in the development of a fertilized embryo — because they are “pluripotent.” That means they have the ability to become many different types of tissue. Although biologists believe the cells may hold promise for curing a number of illnesses that are currently fatal, Bush and many other Christian conservatives oppose the research. Harvesting the stem cells destroys the embryos, which some believe is tantamount to abortion.
“Destroying human life in the hopes of saving human life is not ethical — and it is not the only option before us,” Bush said. He noted that research on stem cells derived from non-embryonic sources has also shown promise in curing a number of diseases. Bush also mentioned a recent study in which researchers effectively manufactured embryonic stem cells by using cells from the skin of mice.
But many of the scientists who conducted those studies have cautioned that it could take years to produce cures for diseases such as Parkinson's, cancer and spinal-cord damage using the kinds of research that Bush approves. They have argued that such research should be funded alongside embryonic stem-cell studies.
Along with the veto, Bush also issued an executive order directing the federal Department of Health and Human Services to come up with a plan for encouraging researchers studying non-embryonic stem cells to apply for federal funding.
However, the move is largely symbolic — such studies are already eligible for federal funding, and the order does not include any new funds for such research.
But critics said the veto and executive order were the result of Bush choosing conservative ideology and window-dressing over scientific progress.
“This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families, just one more example of how out of touch with reality he and his party have become,” said Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), speaking at a Washington conference of liberal activists. Clinton is aiming to replace Bush in 2009.
A group of Republican House members also denounced Bush's decision. “Like a vast majority of Americans, I am concerned that the untapped potential of stem-cell research may be falling by the wayside,” said Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) at a Capitol Hill press conference with GOP congressmen who voted for the measure. “It is because of my strong respect for and commitment to life that I supported this bill earlier this month.”
Brown-Waite and her colleagues expressed hope that the House will muster enough votes to override the veto. However, a handful of senators and dozens of House members would have to change their votes for that to happen.
Democrats hope to eke out enough votes in the Senate to override the veto, putting pressure on vulnerable GOP House members to switch their votes. Polls show widespread support for federally funded embryonic stem-cell research.
The veto is Bush's third of his presidency — and the second he has used to kill federal funding for stem-cell research. Last year, he rejected a similar bill passed by the then-GOP-controlled Congress.
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Read more:
House again passes stem-cell bill as new study suggests solution (6/7/2007)
Stem-cell déjà vu as Senate re-passes while Bush promises repeat veto (4/13/2007)
House passes stem-cell bill again, sets up new showdown (1/12/2007)
Bush uses first veto in office on popular stem-cell bill (1/19/2006)