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Skriven 2007-04-11 23:31:00 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0704118) for Wed, 2007 Apr 11
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Statement by the President on Stem Cell Research
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary April 11, 2007

Statement by the President on Stem Cell Research

˙˙White House News


Scientists believe that stem cells have the potential for medical
breakthroughs in treating debilitating medical diseases and disorders.
However, the advancement of science and medicine need not conflict with the
ethical imperative to protect every human life. I am a strong supporter of
scientific research -- which is why I authorized the first federal funding
for research on embryonic stem cells, under careful safeguards, starting in
2001.

My policy unleashed an unprecedented scientific effort using the stem cell
lines my policy approved for funding. While encouraging -- not banning --
research, my policy also ensures that federal funds are not used to create
incentives to destroy, or harm, or create living human embryos for purposes
of research.

The Senate today voted in support of legislation to overturn these
safeguards. I believe this will encourage taxpayer money to be spent on the
destruction or endangerment of living human embryos -- raising serious
moral concerns for millions of Americans.

Research using human embryonic stem cells is still at an early stage, and
it will be years before researchers know how much promise lies in
therapeutic applications. I believe this early stage is precisely when it
is most important to develop ethically responsible techniques, so the
potential of stem cells can be explored without violating human dignity and
life.

S.5 is very similar to legislation I vetoed last year. This bill crosses a
moral line that I and many others find troubling. If it advances all the
way through Congress to my desk, I will veto it.

Meanwhile, exciting and significant scientific advances have been reported
over the past few years on uses of stem cells that do not involve the
destruction of embryos. These advances using adult and other forms of stem
cells are exciting. Some have even produced effective therapies and
treatments for disease -- all without the destruction of human life.

The second bill that passed the Senate today, the Hope Act, builds on this
ethically appropriate research by encouraging further development of these
alternative techniques for producing stem cells without embryo creation or
destruction. I strongly support this bill, and I encourage the Congress to
pass it and send it to me for my signature, so stem cell science can
progress, without ethical and cultural conflict.

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