Bush Confirms He Will Veto Stem Cell Bill

President Bush confirmed today that he will veto the stem cell research bill given final congressional approval on Thursday. The bill which Bush said "puts scientific research and ethical principle into conflict," requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research utilizing human embryonic stem cells, under certain conditions.

• the stem cells must be derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and be in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment;

• the embryos must have never been intended for implantation in a woman and would have been discarded if not used for research; and

• persons donating the embryos must do so only after giving their written informed consent and may receive no financial or other inducements in return for their donation.

The bill, S.5 -- The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 -- sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, is essentially identical to the one vetoed by President Bush in 2006.

"Recent scientific developments have reinforced my conviction that stem cell science can progress in ethical ways," said President Bush in a prepared statement. "Researchers have been investigating innovative techniques that could allow doctors and scientists to produce stem cells just as versatile as those derived from human embryos, but without harming life, and the House vote on this bill took place just after significant advances in stem cell research were reported in leading scientific journals."

It is considered unlikely that supporters of the bill will be able to muster the two-thirds majority vote needed in both the House and Senate to override the presidential veto.

Also See:
About Presidential Vetoes
Bush's Last Stem Cell Veto Message (2006)