[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 15 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[Page 443]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Senate Passage of the ``Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act 
of 2007'' and the ``Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem 
Cell Research Act''

April 11, 2007

    Scientists believe that stem cells have the potential for medical 
breakthroughs in treating debilitating medical diseases and disorders. 
However, the advancement of science and medicine need not conflict with 
the ethical imperative to protect every human life. I am a strong 
supporter of scientific research, which is why I authorized the first 
Federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells, under careful 
safeguards, starting in 2001.
    My policy unleashed an unprecedented scientific effort using the 
stem cell lines my policy approved for funding. While encouraging--not 
banning--research, my policy also ensures that Federal funds are not 
used to create incentives to destroy or harm or create living human 
embryos for purposes of research.
    The Senate today voted in support of legislation to overturn these 
safeguards. I believe this will encourage taxpayer money to be spent on 
the destruction or endangerment of living human embryos--raising serious 
moral concerns for millions of Americans.
    Research using human embryonic stem cells is still at an early 
stage, and it will be years before researchers know how much promise 
lies in therapeutic applications. I believe this early stage is 
precisely when it is most important to develop ethically responsible 
techniques, so the potential of stem cells can be explored without 
violating human dignity and life.
    S. 5 is very similar to legislation I vetoed last year. This bill 
crosses a moral line that I and many others find troubling. If it 
advances all the way through Congress to my desk, I will veto it.
    Meanwhile, exciting and significant scientific advances have been 
reported over the past few years on uses of stem cells that do not 
involve the destruction of embryos. These advances using adult and other 
forms of stem cells are exciting. Some have even produced effective 
therapies and treatments for disease--all without the destruction of 
human life.
    The second bill that passed the Senate today, the Hope Act, builds 
on this ethically appropriate research by encouraging further 
development of these alternative techniques for producing stem cells 
without embryo creation or destruction. I strongly support this bill, 
and I encourage the Congress to pass it and send it to me for my 
signature, so stem cell science can progress, without ethical and 
cultural conflict.

Note: The statement referred to S. 5 and S. 30.