Stem Cell Bill Supporters Try Again

In April 2007, the US Senate voted, once again, to lift restrictions on embryonic stem cell research . The bill, passed on April 11th, is the second attempt by supporters to allow federal funding for research such as regenerative medicine and therapeutic cloning using embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001. President Bush, however, has made it very clear that he intends to veto the bill, for a second time. A two-thirds majority vote is needed by the House of Representatives to override the president's veto, and it doesn't look like there are enough supporters for the stem cell bill to survive.

When Bush's policy on stem cell research was first set in place, it was estimated that approximately 70 stem cell lines existed for research purposes. That number has now dwindled to about 20, and scientists in the field are frustrated by the lack of diversity. The value of stem cells in the biomedical industry is not in question, however, the topic has been under hot debate because of ethical issues surrounding the use of human embryos for research.

A second "compromise" bill, also passed by Senate, would allow research on embryos that died of natural causes or during fertility treatments, or were obtained from amniotic fluid and placentas. This second bill seems to have more support from the House.