Bush vetoes stem cell bill for a second time
US President George W Bush has, for a second time, vetoed legislation aimed at lifting restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The debate on stems cells is now expected to feature in the run-up to the 2008 Presidential elections. Although the legislation passed both houses of Congress at the beginning of the year with strong majorities, it lacked the two-thirds majority in each chamber needed to override the veto. Upon his arrival in office in 2001, Mr Bush announced that US tax dollars could be used for research on embryonic stem cells, but only if the embryos themselves had already been destroyed. The legislation he vetoed would have allowed research on fresh lines drawn since 2001 from surplus embryos destined to be destroyed by fertility clinics. Embryonic stem cells are attractive to researchers as they could provide medical breakthroughs for the treatment of various medical conditions, such as diabetes, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries. Proponents argue that the research would be carried out on embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. Those against believe that using embryos for research is ethically wrong. Speaking form the White House, President Bush said that he was keeping his promise not to allow 'our nation cross this moral line'. 'Destroying human life in the hope of saving human life is not ethical -- and it is not the only option before us,' he said, announcing that the Government would be providing further support for research on stem cells drawn from adults and children, and on blood from umbilical cords. However, those in favour of lifting restrictions say that they are not giving up just yet, and are considering attaching the legislation to a 'must-pass' bill for the National Institutes of Health. 'Science is on our side, hope is on our side, and the American people are on our side. We will continue to fight for this legislation and do whatever it takes to ensure it becomes law,' said Senator Tom Harkin, one the bill's chief sponsors. If the plan does not succeed, the use of embryonic stem cell for research could become a topic for debate in the 2008 election campaign.
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