House debating stem cell research, again

The House opened debate today on a stem cell research bill that would boost taxpayer-funded research on embryonic stem cells. However, George Bush threatened to veto the bill if sent to his desk, as he has done once before, citing that he believes it is morally wrong, just one day after he sent more than 20,000 additional U.S. soldiers to face death and maiming in Iraq. Hm, how ironic.

According to an Associated Press article, embryonic stem cells hold extreme promise of hope that they may one day be used to treat or cure several diseases and injuries:

Scientists still say, however, that embryonic stem cells so far are backed by the most promising evidence that one day they might be used to grow replacements for damaged tissue, such as new insulin-producing cells for diabetics or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury.

The legislation would lift Bush's 2001 ban on federal dollars spent on deriving new stem cells from fertilized embryos. Bush's veto of the bill last year was the first veto of his presidency.

Embryonic stem cells are able to morph into any of the more than 220 cell types that make up the human body. They usually are culled from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away. But because the culling kills the embryos, Bush on Aug. 9, 2001, restricted government funding to research using only the embryonic stem cell lines then in existence, groups of stem cells kept alive and propagating in lab dishes.