US President George W Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Bill for a Second Time [Date: 2007-06-22]
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.
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.
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.
































