From Yahoo and Delaware online
Vetoing a stem cell bill for the second time, President Bush on Wednesday sought to placate those who disagree with him by signing an executive order urging scientists toward what he termed "ethically responsible"* research in the field.
Bush announced no new federal dollars for stem cell research, which supporters say holds the promise of disease cures, and his order would not allow researchers to do anything they couldn't do under existing restrictions.
Announcing his veto to a roomful of supporters, Bush said, "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. I made it clear to Congress and to the American people that I will not allow our nation to cross this moral line."
He vetoed similar embryonic stem cell legislation last July.
“We think we have 66” of the 67 votes needed to override in the Senate, said Rep. Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat. “So we just need one more and then it will go to the House, where we are short but are picking up more” support.
The legislation would allow federal funding for stem-cell research using excess human embryos that were created for fertility treatments and would otherwise be discarded.
Advocates say scientists may be able to replicate human tissue cells taken from discarded human embryos, possibly leading to cures for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, juvenile diabetes and other ailments. Castle and DeGette are co-chairs of the congressional diabetes caucus.
* I wonder what "ethically responsible enhanced interrogation techniques" means.
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