 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
House Backs Stem Cell Research Expansion
Washington (UPI) Jan. 11, 2007 The House backed expanding embryonic stem cell research for the second time in a year Thursday, repeating a challenge to President Bush on the issue. The bill was identical to one cleared by Congress last May. It would lift restrictions set by Bush in 2001 limiting taxpayer funding of stem cell research to approximately 70 cell lines. The president used the first veto of his tenure against the bill. Democrats made passing the bill a second time a key part of their agenda for the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, which convened Jan. 4. The issue figured heavily in several House and Senate races in November. The bill gained support from both parties to pass 253 to 174, 15 more than it got in the House last year. Senate Democratic leaders say they will also act in the coming weeks to repeat last year's approval. But the White House said President Bush would still reject the bill. "The president would veto H.R. 3 if it came to his desk," said Tony Fratto, the White House deputy press secretary. Stem cells are found in human embryos at just a few days after conception. The cells have the ability to form nearly any cell in the body. Many scientists believe that "pleuripotency" gives stem cells the potential to treat a range of ailments, including diabetes, Alzheimer's and some cancers. But opponents maintain that that potential is not worth the cost of destroying human embryos in storage following fertilization treatments. "You have to question the means. Science tells us what we can do. It doesn't tell us what we should do," says Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif. The White House released a statement this week praising the potential of alternative methods of extracting stem cells without destroying embryos. The position was strengthened this week when researchers from Wake Forest University in North Carolina announced that cells isolated from amniotic fluid of pregnant women had similar pleuripotent properties as embryonic cells. The bill's opponents seized on the report as evidence that disease cures could still be found without destroying embryos. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., the bill's chief sponsor, said she was open to negotiating on the bill. "We would be willing to change the bill in consultation with the White House," she said. Without a deal, it seems likely that the bill is destined to die. The House remains far short of the 291 votes needed to override a presidential veto. The White House told members of Congress this week that President Bush would soon sign an executive order to provide federal funding for research using alternative stem cell sources. Thursday's bill could also face changes in the Senate. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said this week he expected opponents to offer a range of amendments, including one promoting alternative stem cell extraction methods and another banning embryo cloning for research. Harkin said he has counted 66 votes in favor of the bill, including Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., who is currently hospitalized recovering from a brain hemorrhage. Supporters would have to find one lawmaker willing to switch sides from last year in order to reach the 67 votes needed for an override. "I'm working on them, I'm working on them," Harkin said in an interview.
Source: United Press International Related Links US House of Congress Stem Cell News And Information
Scientists Find Point Stem Cell Created
Cambridge (UPI) Jan 11, 2007Scientists in Britain said they have discovered the point at which an embryonic cell becomes a stem cell. Cambridge scientists said they discovered the determination of stem cells occurs earlier than the fourth cleavage, which is where scientists had believed the determination was made, ScienceDaily.com said. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
