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Bush vetoes stem cell funds bill Bush vetoes stem cell funds bill
(about 2 hours later)
US President George W Bush has vetoed a bill that would have eased restrictions on federally-funded stem-cell research.US President George W Bush has vetoed a bill that would have eased restrictions on federally-funded stem-cell research.
He also issued an executive order encouraging scientists to focus on ways to conduct research without using stem cells from human embryos.He also issued an executive order encouraging scientists to focus on ways to conduct research without using stem cells from human embryos.
Mr Bush said advances must be pursued in a way "that respects human dignity and upholds our moral values".Mr Bush said advances must be pursued in a way "that respects human dignity and upholds our moral values".
The Democratic-led Congress is expected to try to override the veto but is unlikely to get enough votes.The Democratic-led Congress is expected to try to override the veto but is unlikely to get enough votes.
The veto is only the third issued by Mr Bush during his administration. He vetoed a similar draft bill on stem-cell research in 2006.The veto is only the third issued by Mr Bush during his administration. He vetoed a similar draft bill on stem-cell research in 2006.
His only other veto was used to block legislation tying Iraq war funding to a timetable for troop withdrawal.His only other veto was used to block legislation tying Iraq war funding to a timetable for troop withdrawal.
The Democrats argue that restrictions on stem-cell research are impeding vital medical progress and vowed, upon taking charge of Congress last year, to push curbs to be eased on federal funding.The Democrats argue that restrictions on stem-cell research are impeding vital medical progress and vowed, upon taking charge of Congress last year, to push curbs to be eased on federal funding.
Critics say the research requires the destruction of human embryos, which they consider human life, and argue that alternative methods are showing promise.Critics say the research requires the destruction of human embryos, which they consider human life, and argue that alternative methods are showing promise.
The BBC's Jonathan Beale, in Washington, says the battle lines are clearly drawn between those who see stem-cell research as a threat to the sanctity of human life and those who believe it is the best way to offer new hope to millions of patients.
'Respecting conscience''Respecting conscience'
Mr Bush has repeatedly said that using taxpayers' money to fund expanded embryonic stem-cell research would "cross a moral line".Mr Bush has repeatedly said that using taxpayers' money to fund expanded embryonic stem-cell research would "cross a moral line".

STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY

STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY

Key sources for stem cells are adult organs or embryonic cellsKey sources for stem cells are adult organs or embryonic cells
Adult stem cells are identified and separated from other cellsAdult stem cells are identified and separated from other cells
Embryonic stem cells are removed from 5-day-old embryosEmbryonic stem cells are removed from 5-day-old embryos
Cells are manipulated to stimulate them to take on a specific functionCells are manipulated to stimulate them to take on a specific function
Specialised cells may then be used to treat unhealthy areasSpecialised cells may then be used to treat unhealthy areas
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At a press conference staged at the White House, he said: "Our innovative spirit is making possible incredible advances in medicine that can save lives and cure diseases.At a press conference staged at the White House, he said: "Our innovative spirit is making possible incredible advances in medicine that can save lives and cure diseases.
"America is also a nation founded on the principle that all human life is sacred."America is also a nation founded on the principle that all human life is sacred.
"And our conscience calls us to pursue the possibilities of science in a manner that respects human dignity and upholds our moral values.""And our conscience calls us to pursue the possibilities of science in a manner that respects human dignity and upholds our moral values."
He spoke in front of an invited audience including doctors and a woman treated using stem-cell therapies developed without the use of embryonic stem cells.He spoke in front of an invited audience including doctors and a woman treated using stem-cell therapies developed without the use of embryonic stem cells.
White House spokesman Tony Snow earlier denied suggestions that the veto was "an attempt to muzzle science".White House spokesman Tony Snow earlier denied suggestions that the veto was "an attempt to muzzle science".
"It is an attempt, I think, to respect people's conscience on such an issue," he told reporters."It is an attempt, I think, to respect people's conscience on such an issue," he told reporters.
Speaking at a liberal conference earlier on Wednesday, Democratic Senator for New York Hillary Clinton criticised Mr Bush's opposition to stem cell research.Speaking at a liberal conference earlier on Wednesday, Democratic Senator for New York Hillary Clinton criticised Mr Bush's opposition to stem cell research.
"This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families," she said."This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families," she said.
Popular supportPopular support
Stem cells are immature cells, created shortly after conception, which have the capacity to turn into any kind of tissue in the body.Stem cells are immature cells, created shortly after conception, which have the capacity to turn into any kind of tissue in the body.
Scientists hope to use stem cells taken from frozen human embryos to repair tissue affected by disease or injury. They say the research could provide breakthroughs in the treatment of debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.Scientists hope to use stem cells taken from frozen human embryos to repair tissue affected by disease or injury. They say the research could provide breakthroughs in the treatment of debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The process of extracting stem cells from an embryo destroys that entity; conservative Republicans have likened the destruction of frozen human embryos to abortion.The process of extracting stem cells from an embryo destroys that entity; conservative Republicans have likened the destruction of frozen human embryos to abortion.
Surveys suggest a majority of Americans support expanded stem-cell research.Surveys suggest a majority of Americans support expanded stem-cell research.
Mr Bush imposed restrictions on spending government money on stem-cell research when he came to power in 2001.Mr Bush imposed restrictions on spending government money on stem-cell research when he came to power in 2001.
He limited the offer of federal funds to research on stem cell batches that were already available that August and ruled out funding work on fresh batches.He limited the offer of federal funds to research on stem cell batches that were already available that August and ruled out funding work on fresh batches.
The president favours an alternative form of research which uses cells taken from amniotic fluid, placentas and from embryos that have died naturally.The president favours an alternative form of research which uses cells taken from amniotic fluid, placentas and from embryos that have died naturally.