Bush Rejects Calls on Stem-Cell Research

[AmyStrange]

Bush Rejects Calls on Stem-Cell Research
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer

FROM: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040614/ap_on_el_pr/bush_stem_cell&cid=694&ncid=2043
WASHINGTON - The White House rejected calls Monday from Ronald Reagan (news - web sites)'s family and others to relax President Bush (news - web sites)'s restrictions on stem-cell research in pursuit of potential cures for illnesses.

Bush signed an executive order in August 2001 that limited federal help to financing stem cell research on 78 embryonic stem cell lines then in existence. Because day-old embryos are destroyed when stem cells are extracted, the process is opposed by some conservatives who link it to abortion.

Shortly before Reagan's death, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry (news - web sites) and 57 other senators asked Bush to relax the restrictions. Nancy Reagan has long argued that using stem cells from embryos could lead to cures for a number of diseases like the Alzheimer's that afflicted her husband. Bush opposes using embryos for stem cell research.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush continues to believe that his policy is the right one.

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[young_at_heart]

1. There are NO gray areas for Bush

How can he so easily turn his back on such lifesaving treatments? It boggles the mind!

[shraby]

2. An "embryo" is not an embryo

until implanted in a womb. Until then, its a grouping of cells that can only divide so many times before it cannot divide any more.

[MallRat]

3. I thought there WEREN'T 78 cell lines.

:argh:

[lovedems]

4. That is just sooooo compassionate of him!

Who cares if people are suffering from life threatening disease, I have to win in 2004! Who cares if we could find a cure to disease, my religious base is more important to me! Boy, that must be tough. Cure for disease or votes. What a dumbass.

I expect to see Nancy and family in the next several weeks. If she is a dragon lady, let's see it now.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. Stubborn and pig headed as always.

The hallmarks of the Bush administration.

[JayS]

6. From what I have heard...

...a majority of Senators are for restarting the government funding of stem cell research. I don't remember the general mood of the House on this issue though. Don't we have Democrats in the House and in the Senate that could introduce a bill addressing this issue at the next opportunity. It would be nice to force Bush's hand before the next election. :)

[JayS]

7. Thump

[cheezus]

8. He's putting politcs in front of people

and dishonoring Reagan and his widow.

[TexasSissy]

9. It makes sense, if he believes that life begins @ conception.

Of course, I have my doubts about what Bush believes or doesn't believe. Other than loving money and power, it's hard to know.

I don't believe "human" life begins @ conception, so I have no problem with it.

Didn't Reagan believe that life began at conception? Well, maybe not. He signed an abortion rights bill into law in CA, I think.