Statement of the Hon. Rosa L. DeLauro President's Veto of Stem Cell Research Legislation

Statement of the Hon. Rosa L. DeLauro President's Veto of Stem Cell Research Legislation

- Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today delivered the following statement on the floor of the U.S. House in response to the president's veto - the first of his presidency - of stem cell research legislation.

"Mr. Speaker, no single action this Congress could take would have a more profound impact on life than increasing federal funds for biomedical scientists to conduct research with human embryonic stem cells. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, brain and spinal cord disorders, diabetes, cancer - at least 58 diseases could potentially be cured through stem cell research. Diseases that touch every family in America and in the world.

"And Mr. Speaker, I stand here as someone who understands the promise of biomedical research all too well. Having been diagnosed with ovarian cancer by chance on a doctor's visit two decades ago, I know first-hand how medical research can change lives - it saved mine. It can quite literally mean the difference between life and death. Between hope and despair.

"Are there moral issues to consider with respect to stem cell research? Absolutely. But let's not confuse them with the ethical safeguards that this legislation does put in place, allowing research only on embryos that were originally created for fertility treatment purposes and that are in excess of clinical need. By permitting peer-reviewed federal funds to be used with public oversight, we can have no doubt that this research will be performed with the utmost dignity and ethical responsibility.

"The moral issue here is whether the United States Congress is going to stand in the way of science and preclude the scientists from doing lifesaving research. We do not live in the Dark Ages. And with this vote, Mr. Speaker, this Congress has an opportunity to tell the world we are a country that believes science has the power to advance life. I believe we are. By allowing the president to stop this research from going forward, we risk something very precious.

"Mr. Speaker, the world has always looked to America as a beacon of hope precisely because of our capacity to combine the best ideas in the world with abundant resources. Let's continue that tradition. Let's lead the way - support the veto override."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/July/stem_cell_7_19_06.html