Berkley Disappointed In Second Bush Veto Of Embryonic Stem Cell Bill

Press Release

BERKLEY DISAPPOINTED IN SECOND BUSH VETO OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL BILL

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) today said she is disappointed in President Bush's decision to veto stem cell legislation that could bring new hope to patients and their families. Berkley voted in favor of The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act which lifts current restrictions on the embryonic stem cell lines that can be used for federally-funded research. This afternoon's White House action marks the second time President Bush has vetoed bipartisan stem cell legislation presented to him by Congress.

"Stem cell research continues to hold the promise of new life saving medical breakthroughs and I am disappointed that President Bush has now chosen to veto this critical legislation a second time," said Berkley. "Families in Nevada and nationwide strongly support embryonic stem cell research and they are joined by more than 500 groups, including the American Medical Association, AARP, Paralyzed Veterans of America and many faith-based organizations. As a result of this veto, Americans who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes and other debilitating diseases and going to have to wait even longer for research that could unlock effective new treatments or provide the breakthroughs needed to find a cure," Berkley said.

The bill vetoed by Bush expands the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research by lifting the restrictions on the embryonic stem cell lines that can be used for federally-funded research - restrictions that were imposed by President Bush in 2001. Most of the stem cell lines authorized for federally-funded research under the President's policy are now no longer useful for research. However, the bill only authorizes federal research funds for stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics. The bill also creates an ethical framework that must be followed in conducting this research under the guidance of the National Institutes of Health.

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