[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 29 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Pages 1365-1366]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the House of Representatives Returning Without Approval the 
``Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005''

July 19, 2006

To the House of Representatives:

    I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 810, the ``Stem 
Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005.''
    Like all Americans, I believe our Nation must vigorously pursue the 
tremendous possibilities that science offers to cure disease and improve 
the lives of millions. Yet, as science brings us ever closer to 
unlocking the secrets of human biology, it also offers temptations to 
manipulate human life and violate human dignity. Our conscience and 
history as a Nation demand that we resist this temptation. With the 
right scientific techniques and the right policies, we can achieve 
scientific progress while living up to our ethical responsibilities.
    In 2001, I set forth a new policy on stem cell research that struck 
a balance between the needs of science and the demands of conscience. 
When I took office, there was no Federal funding for human embryonic 
stem cell research. Under the policy I announced 5 years ago, my 
Administration became the first to make Federal funds available for this 
research, but only on embryonic stem cell lines derived from embryos 
that had already been destroyed. My Administration has made available 
more than $90 million for research of these lines. This policy has 
allowed important research to go forward and has allowed America to 
continue to lead the world in embryonic stem cell research without 
encouraging the further destruction of living human embryos.
    H.R. 810 would overturn my Administration's balanced policy on 
embryonic stem cell research. If this bill were to become law, American 
taxpayers for the first time in our history would be compelled to fund 
the deliberate destruction of human embryos. Crossing this line would be 
a grave mistake and would needlessly encourage a conflict between 
science and ethics that can only do damage to both and harm our Nation 
as a whole.

    Advances in research show that stem cell science can progress in an 
ethical way. Since I announced my policy in 2001, my Administration has 
expanded funding of research into stem cells that can be drawn from 
children, adults, and the blood in umbilical cords with no harm to the 
donor, and these stem cells are currently being used in medical 
treatments. Science also offers the hope that we may one day enjoy the 
potential benefits of embryonic stem cells without destroying human 
life. Researchers are investigating new techniques that might allow 
doctors and scientists to produce stem cells just as versatile as those 
derived from human embryos without harming life. We must continue to 
explore these hopeful alternatives, so we can advance the cause of 
scientific research while staying true to the ideals of a decent and 
humane society.

    I hold to the principle that we can harness the promise of 
technology without becoming slaves to technology and ensure that science 
serves the cause of humanity. If we are to find the right ways to 
advance ethical medical research, we must also be willing when necessary 
to reject the wrong ways. For that reason, I must veto this bill.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 July 19, 2006.

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