The concern is that when private interests complete research on medical cures, it is their property. Resulting in a financial interest for the private company. If it were Gvt sponsoredresearch, then it would be owned by us and the price to partake in the treatment would be considerably less. I also don't understand how TonySnow can say W is against murder, but that since using these zygotes for research isn't illegal then the private sector can and will pursue research. Seems kinda hypocritical to me. On Jul 19, 2006, at 11:46 PM, tahouston wrote: George Bush did not kill research on stem cells, he just refused to fund it with taxpayers money. Like many other sickness and diseases, researchers continuing on with private donations and private fundraisers. Any person who wants to sit around and wait for the government to take action on important issues that they may benefit from I suggest is wasting their time. Most cures in this country have been discovered through R&D of private companies in the perseverance of medical scientists and doctors funded by private donations. T. Houston C5 C6 ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 3:50 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Stem Cell Bill Killed
Bush uses first-ever veto to kill stem cell bill 32
minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush
used his veto for the first time since taking office,
blocking a bill that would have expanded federal
funding for embryonic stem cell research.
"It crosses a moral boundary that our decent society
needs to respect, so I vetoed it," Bush said in
remarks at the White House, saying that in rejecting
the legislation he is "keeping the promise I made to
the American people.
"As science brings us ever closer to unlocking the
secrets of human biology, it also offers temptations
to manipulate human life and violate human dignity,"
said Bush.
"Our conscience and history as a nation demand that we
resist this temptation," Bush said.
The stem cell research endorsed by the Senate on
Tuesday would have used embryos -- some consisting of
just a handful of cells -- left over from in vitro
fertilization (IVF) procedures.
The president had long vowed to veto the bill because
of his deeply held moral beliefs that destroying human
life is wrong -- even in its earliest form, and even
in the interest of research that could lead to
potentially life-saving medical breakthroughs.
Bush made the announcement at a White House signing
ceremony for alternative bioethics legislation known
as "The Fetus Farming Prohibition Act," making it a
crime to initiate a pregnancy for the sole purpose of
obtaining human organs or tissue for research.
Present for the announcement were several families
with "snowflake babies" -- children conceived via
donated embryos left over from IVF treatments.
The president vetoed the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act despite widespread support by the US
public and ardent backers in Congress, who on
Wednesday urged Bush to reconsider his stance.
Stem cell research advocates say the technique shows
promise for the treatment of degenerative diseases
such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and for diabetes.
The bill would have lifted rules set by Bush in 2001
making federal funds available only for research on a
small number of embryonic stem cell lines which
existed at that time.
Government money is barred from supporting work on new
lines derived from human embryos -- a restriction that
opponents say hampers overall research.
In London, Martin Rees, the president of the Royal
Society -- Britain's de facto academy of sciences --
said the US policy "is slowing down the global effort
to develop therapies for a range of diseases and
illnesses."
"If the present restrictions remain, it would surely
mean that the United States will continue to fall
behind in this important and exciting area," said
Rees.
The Senate approved the measure by a 63-37 vote -- a
margin too small to override a presidential veto.
Nevertheless, 41 Senate Democrats sent a letter to
Majority Leader Bill Frist, urging him to lobby
support among congressional Republicans to overturn
Bush's veto.
"We are pleased that you supported this important
legislation and know that you recognize the enormous
potential of this research for discovering new cures
and therapies for diseases such as diabetes,
Parkinsons disease and spinal cord injuries.
"The only chance for overriding this veto rests with
you and the Republican caucuses in the House and the
Senate.
"Millions of patients and their families across the
nation cannot afford to wait any longer for the
enactment of this urgently needed legislation," the
Democratic lawmakers wrote.
"We are counting on your leadership to help ensure
that this legislation becomes law so that we may
finally clear the way for research that could lead to
treatments and cures for so many debilitating disease
and conditions," Democrats wrote.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
|
