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| US House backs stem cell research | US House backs stem cell research |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The US House of Representatives has passed a bill backing embryonic stem cell research, paving the way for possible conflict with President Bush. | |
| The stem cell bill was among the top priorities for the Democrats, who took control of Congress last week, but Mr Bush has vowed to veto it. | |
| Advocates of stem cell research say it could lead to cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. | Advocates of stem cell research say it could lead to cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. |
| Mr Bush says the research would destroy human life in the name of science. | Mr Bush says the research would destroy human life in the name of science. |
| The bill was passed by 253 to 174, but fell short of a two-thirds majority needed to overcome the veto. | |
| "Today, by passing legislation to expand stem cell research, the House gave voice to the hopes of more than 100 million Americans and their families," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. | |
| "With today's strong bipartisan vote, we now challenge President Bush to join members from both sides of the aisle in supporting the hope of stem cell research." | |
| Presidential veto | |
| Mr Bush used his presidential veto to overturn a similar judgement by the Republican-controlled Congress last year. | |
| It was the first time in his presidency that Mr Bush refused to sign into law a bill approved by Congress. | |
| Polls suggest most Americans back the research. | |
| Opponents of the bill say their taxes should not fund research which involves the destruction of embryos. | |
| Its supporters maintain that the embryos used for research, that come from multiple embryos generated by couples trying to produce a pregnancy using in vitro fertilisation, would otherwise be discarded. |