    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 7, 2007]
    [Page 707]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Stem Cell Research
    Legislation
    June 7, 2007

        Today the United States House of Representatives, with its vote on
    the embryonic stem cell bill, chose to discard existing protections on
    human life. This bill puts scientific research and ethical principle
    into conflict, rather than supporting a balanced approach that advances
    scientific and medical frontiers without violating moral principles.
        My administration has sought to understand the dilemmas of stem cell
    research not as a choice between science and ethics but as a challenge
    to advance medicine while meeting our solemn obligation to defend human
    life. That is why in 2001, I authorized the first Federal funding for
    research on embryonic stem cells, under careful safeguards. This policy
    encouraged ethical research, while requiring taxpayer funds not be used
    to support the creation, destruction, or harming of living human
    embryos.
        Recent scientific developments have reinforced my conviction that
    stem cell science can progress in ethical ways. Researchers have been
    investigating innovative techniques that could allow doctors and
    scientists to produce stem cells just as versatile as those derived from
    human embryos but without harming life, and the House vote on this bill
    took place just after significant advances in stem cell research were
    reported in leading scientific journals. These reports give us added
    hope that we may one day enjoy the potential benefits of embryonic stem
    cells without destroying human life.
        I am disappointed the leadership of Congress recycled an old bill
    that would simply overturn our country's carefully balanced policy on
    embryonic stem cell research. If this bill were to become law, American
    taxpayers would, for the first time in our history, be compelled to
    support the deliberate destruction of human embryos. Crossing that line
    would be a grave mistake. For that reason, I will veto the bill passed
    today.

    Note: The statement referred to S. 5.