Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Research Bill for a Second Time, Putting Ideology Above Saving Lives

June 20, 2007

After a bipartisan effort that led to the passage of the stem cell research bill in both the House and Senate, George W. Bush vetoed this legislation that would have eased restraints on federally funded embryonic stem cell research, utilizing donated human embryos that would otherwise be destroyed. This is the second time George Bush has used his veto power to override a measure that could have led to treatment of debilitating illnesses and life-threatening diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, heart disease, spinal cord injury, and diabetes.

"With this veto, George Bush has proved once again that his allegiance is to his extremist base and not to the millions of caregivers and families who need this research," says NOW President Kim Gandy. "Women are the majority of caregivers in our society, and this veto is an outright slap in the face for women who take on the every day burden of caring for family members who are ill or dying," said Gandy.

There is enormous public support for stem cell research, and that is why Congress passed the measure. George Bush's veto demonstrates that he has become even more out of touch with the country. Even the National Institutes of Health acknowledge that human embryos are the most promising of all the stem cells to offer renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

We were on the cusp of extending medical research, and with a stroke of the pen, George Bush took it away," says Gandy. "This is even more reason to change the face of politics. We need a government and a leader who considers the health and safety of women, girls and families."

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906

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