More govs boost stem cell research

[babylonsister]

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=195908

More govs boost stem cell research
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer

As Congress and the Bush administration remain deadlocked over funding for stem cell research, three new Democratic governors have joined other state leaders in supporting the controversial science.

Last week, New York’s Eliot Spitzer won legislative approval for $600 million for stem cell research and Deval Patrick of Massachusetts began trying to undo a state regulation that hinders the research there. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signed a law in February repealing that state’s ban on the nascent science.

All three – newcomers to the governor’s mansion -- pledged to support stem cell research in their election campaigns. They join a half-dozen other governors from both parties – including California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell (R), Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) -- who have backed the research for its promised medical breakthroughs and potential economic rewards.

Since August 9, 2001, when President George W. Bush curtailed federal funding of stem cell research, states have stepped in to keep the fledgling science afloat by providing state money and removing legal barriers to its practice.

Last July, Bush exercised his first presidential veto by refusing to sign a bill that would have expanded federal funding for the science. This year, the new Democratic-led U.S. House passed the same bill – releasing money for stem cell research using surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics – and the U.S. Senate is expected to approve the same bill. But political analysts say Congress is not likely to muster enough votes to override a promised presidential veto.

Although a recent ABC survey showed the American public favors government funding of stem cell studies by a margin of two to one, Bush and his anti-abortion allies remain opposed because they say it violates the sanctity of human life by destroying embryos.

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[blondeatlast]

1. I'll be at my capital on Thursday pushing this for the American Diabetes Association.

I've been promised that a cure is "just around the corner" since diagnosed at age 7. Now it's time to make it real for my son's generation.

The US pioneered this research and it kills me to see us falling so woefully behimd. What about MY life, Mr. Bush? What about MY life?

[babylonsister]

2. I'm shocked more people aren't jazzed about this; I too have a huge

stake in seeing stem cell research work. My stepson could live longer with it.
I wish the Senate would get on the stick and get this moving...

[leftchick]

4. my son was diagnosed 9 weeks ago with T1D

And I thought I hated bush before? In the weeks I have been researching I have seen how the federal dollars for JD stem cell research disappeared six years ago. I have read of some promise with other non-embryonic stem cells, but also learned that the embryonic cells are superior. :(

[seasat]

3. They left off New Mexico and Gov Richardson

(LINK)

Governor Bill Richardson today joined Senator Jeff Bingaman in announcing major, multi-million dollar investments in stem cell research and supercomputing. The Governor’s plan will include a $10 million investment in stem cell research as well as $25 million in the supercomputing power needed to thoroughly study a variety of medical, scientific and social issues.