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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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 Wed May 25, 2005 12:05 am US House backs stem cell funding |
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| Quote: | BBC NEWS
US House backs stem cell funding
The US House of Representatives has voted to increase government funding for embryonic stem cell research.
The vote sets up a confrontation with President Bush, who has vowed to veto the bill if it passes the Senate.
The bill was passed by 238-194 votes - short of the two-thirds majority required to override Mr Bush's veto.
The vote followed an emotional debate between those who say the research is vital for medical progress, and those who say it destroys human life.
The bill would allow scientists to use stem cells from embryos created during in-vitro fertilisation programmes but never implanted in a womb.
Researchers believe stem cells - which can transform themselves into many other tissue types - hold the key to finding cures for many diseases, including Parkinson's and diabetes.
In 2001, Mr Bush declared that federal funding would be available only for research using existing stem cells - meaning that none have been harvested since.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Congressman Mike Castle and Democrat Diane De Gette, aims to overturn that ban.
During the debate, Republican Representative Charlie Bas spoke for the bill's supporters, urging Congress to consider the medical cures that might be discovered and the people that would benefit.
"For America to stand back because of a moral principle and not allow sound scientific research to proceed under the umbrella of the National Institute of Health, I think, is unconscionable," he said.
Broken ranks
Many Catholics and social conservatives in the US oppose the destruction of embryos.
Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay said the bill would mean taxpayers funding "the dismemberment of living, distinct human beings".
But a number of conservative Republicans, who usually back the pro-life lobby, broke with the party mainstream to support the bill.
STEM CELL MILESTONES
1960s: Research begins on stem cells taken from adult tissue
1968: Adult stem cells used to treat immune deficient patient
1998: US scientists grow stem cells from human embryos and germ cells, establishing cell lines still in use today
2001: Embryonic stem cell turned into a blood cell
2004: South Korean scientists clone 30 human embryos and develop them over several days
2005: Korean team develops stem cells tailored to match individual patients
Correspondents say that by threatening to use the veto for the first time in his presidency, Mr Bush has made it clear he will make a stand.
Before the debate, Mr Bush appeared alongside a group of children who were at one time embryos frozen in fertility clinics, before being adopted and implanted into a womb.
"This bill would take us across a critical ethical line by creating new incentives for the ongoing destruction of emerging human life," the president said.
"Crossing this line would be a great mistake."
A second bill which calls for extra funding for stem cell research using umbilical cord blood, and which has presidential backing, was passed by 431 votes to 1.
Scientists say these cells could provide tailor-made treatment for a range of diseases and conditions.
But many experts believe both types of research are needed.
There is no law against private stem cell research, which is moving ahead in states like California.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/4576407.stm
Published: 2005/05/25 02:11:21 GMT
� BBC MMV
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed May 25, 2005 12:07 am |
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Embryos that would otherwise be thrown out, MAYBE, but I really don't think this is such a good idea.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Seven of Nine
Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001
Posts: 7871
Location: North East England
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| Wed May 25, 2005 1:56 am |
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Well, for the research that is being carried out in the UK, the stem cells have been donated by women who are having IVF, and yes, they'd probably be thrown out otherwise. They haven't been in the womb, and would be incapable of becoming life unless they were.
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WeAz
Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004
Posts: 1519
Location: Where you aren't
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| Wed May 25, 2005 5:09 pm |
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anything that can cure thousands should be reasearched
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At Least In Vietnam, Bush Had An Exit Strategy
It was Bush, not Clinton, who ignored the warning signs for 9/11.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Wed May 25, 2005 5:13 pm |
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| Janeway_74656 wrote: | | anything that can cure thousands should be reasearched |
Even if it means the murder of a life?
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Link, the Hero of Time
Vice Admiral
Joined: 15 Sep 2001
Posts: 5581
Location: Kokori Forest, Hyrule
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| Thu May 26, 2005 4:55 pm |
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Think of the lives that will be saved and the people that could be cured before you nay say it.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Thu May 26, 2005 5:40 pm |
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| Link, the Hero of Time wrote: | | Think of the lives that will be saved and the people that could be cured before you nay say it. |
I have. And I think that we should not kill thousands of innocent babies, even if it would save millions in the long-run.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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