Bush Expected to Use His First Veto on Stem-Cell Research

Three stem-cell bills will be voted on this Tuesday. One bill, which already passed the House in May 2005, eases the presidential limit on the number of embryonic stem-cell lines that can be used in federally funded research. Another promotes research using other forms of stem cells that do not require destroying human embryos. And a third aims to preempt research on embryos from "fetal farms," where human embryos are created for research. All three are expected to pass in Congress, but it is virtually assured that the first will be vetoed by George Bush. Unfortunately, because of the Republican majority in the House, it does not appear as though it will be possible to overturn Bush's veto. I urge you to contact your Republican representatives and ask them not to put the ideology of the religious right ahead of the health of millions of Americans.