News / Politics
House Votes to Expand Government-Financed Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The House continued its push to expand government-financed embryonic stem cell research with a 253-174- vote on Thursday. While the vote is indicative of a House run by Democrats it will ultimately fail if President George Bush remains true to his promise.
Bush has vowed to veto any such bill and with less than the two-thirds majority required the House vote did little to bring the reality of government-financed stem cell research during the Bush era any closer.
The hotly contested debate over science verse ethics was evident as both sides of the issue addressed House members.
For those who see embryonic stem cell research as a viable means of treating diseases and afflictions such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, and MS it is not an issue of ethics but rather a cure.
On the other side of the fence are those who believe that research involving the destruction of embryos intended for in vitro fertilization is a moral wrong that government should avoid. Much of the debate surrounds the belief of when life begins, for many of those against the bill it is the moment when an egg is fertilized.
The issue remains at the forefront of the Democrats agenda while they enjoy control of both House and Senate. Many believe it was the issue that brought them into the majority after the 2006 elections. With celebrities such as Michael J. Fox imploring voters to support candidates who believe in government funding for stem cell research the Democrats swept into Congress in droves.
With the issue so close to the surface in the minds of Americans, the 2008 Presidential election could balance on where a candidate stands on the issue.
