Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Bill

[MontanaSweetie]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13934199/?GT1=8307


WASHINGTON - President Bush cast the first veto of his 5-1/2-year presidency Wednesday, rejecting legislation to ease limits on federal funding for research on stem cells obtained from embryos.

"This bill would support the taking of innocent human life of the hope of finding medical benefits for others. It crosses a moral boundary that our society needs to respect, so I vetoed it," Bush said at a White House event where he was surrounded by 18 families who "adopted" frozen embryos that were not used by other couples, and then used those leftover embryos to have children.

"Each of these children was still adopted while still an embryo and has been blessed with a chance to grow, to grow up in a loving family. These boys and girls are not spare parts," he said.

The veto came a day after the Senate defied Bush and approved the legislation, 63-37, four votes short of the two-thirds margin needed to override. White House officials and Republican congressional leaders claimed it was unlikely that Congress could override the veto.

Bush's support was the strongest in the House, which was expected to take up the veto as early as later Wednesday.

Bush has supported federally funded research on only those stem cell lines created before Aug. 9, 2001, the date of his speech to the nation on the subject.

The president vetoed the measure shortly after it came to his desk. His position was politically popular among conservative Republicans, and it was sure to be an issue in the midterm congressional elections.


There is much more to the article in the link.

What do you think about Stem Cell reserach?

[Trey]

I think that the president is letting his personal and religious beliefs get in the way of making a decision that might be best for the country. I understand that it can get out of control with cloning and all that, but I think more good can come out of it than bad.

[MontanaSweetie]

Originally Posted by Rileysmom I think that the president is letting his personal and religious beliefs get in the way of making a decision that might be best for the country. I understand that it can get out of control with cloning and all that, but I think more good can come out of it than bad.

I agree. I don't think he's looking at the "big picture" and what that research could accomplish.

[Caimbrie]

Originally Posted by Rileysmom I think that the president is letting his personal and religious beliefs get in the way of making a decision that might be best for the country. I understand that it can get out of control with cloning and all that, but I think more good can come out of it than bad.

I agree

I think he's scared of opening a can of worms.

[CoffeeGirl]

Originally Posted by Rileysmom I think that the president is letting his personal and religious beliefs get in the way of making a decision that might be best for the country. I understand that it can get out of control with cloning and all that, but I think more good can come out of it than bad.

I couldn't agree more

[Kara]

Originally Posted by Rileysmom I think that the president is letting his personal and religious beliefs get in the way of making a decision that might be best for the country. I understand that it can get out of control with cloning and all that, but I think more good can come out of it than bad.

I agree. I'm Catholic & have been taught to be anti-stem cell. But I'm totally all for it. I think we should do anything possible to save lives

[Becca]

The question was...what do you think about stem cell research? My answer is that it's a hugely important issue that warrants indepth research...but tax payers are not the ones that need to be shouldering the burden of funding said research.

[Donna]

Originally Posted by KMatthews627 I agree. I'm Catholic & have been taught to be anti-stem cell. But I'm totally all for it. I think we should do anything possible to save lives

DH is catholic as well. He was very against stem cell research till Gabe was diagnosed. Gabe and Chris both have a mutation on the W1 gene that puts them at higher risk for this type of cancer. The things stem cell research can do for these kids and many others is undeniable!!! I am going to be doing pretty deep research for the next elections that's for sure!!!!

[Donna]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse Girl The question was...what do you think about stem cell research? My answer is that it's a hugely important issue that warrants indepth research...but tax payers are not the ones that need to be shouldering the burden of funding said research.

i am all for shouldering it, if it means kids like Gabe dont have to suffer through what he has!!!

[Becca]

Right but Donna there is no guarantee of anything. I realize this is a VERY personal issue for you and you feel justifiably passionate about the possibilities. The bottom line is, it's research - it's studying to see if the possibilities are actually feasable - but they're not guaranteed - and there are other funding sources out there.


ETA: The issue at hand isn't even funding really - he used morality as the reason for the veto. I can honestly see both sides of the argument, and Donna if Paige were Gabe, I am sure that I'd be vehemently blind to the side that said "your child doesn't deserve it".

The situation is maddening and heartbreaking at the same time.