U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

59–011 2007

110th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – Senate Document 110–7 

VETO—S. 5 

(PM 18) 

MESSAGE 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

RETURNING

WITHOUT MY APPROVAL S. 5, THE STEM CELL RESEARCH 

ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007 

JUNE 20, 2007.—Ordered to be printed 


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To the Senate of the United States: 

I am returning herewith without my approval S. 5, the ‘‘Stem 

Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.’’

Once again, the Congress has sent me legislation that would 

compel American taxpayers, for the first time in our history, to 

support the deliberate destruction of human embryos. 

In 2001, I announced a policy to advance stem cell research in 

a way that is ambitious, ethical, and effective. I became the first 

President to make Federal funds available for embryonic stem cell 

research, and my policy did this in ways that would not encourage 

the destruction of embryos. Since then, my Administration has 

made more than $130 million available for research on stem cell 

lines derived from embryos that had already been destroyed. We 

have also provided more than $3 billion for research on all forms 

of stem cells, including those from adult and other non-embryonic 

sources. 

This careful approach is producing results. It has contributed to 

proven therapeutic treatments in thousands of patients with many 

different diseases. And it is opening the prospect of new discoveries 

that could transform lives. Researchers are now developing promising new techniques that offer the potential to produce pluripotent 

stem cells, without having to destroy human life—for example, by 

reprogramming adult cells to make them function like stem cells. 

Technical innovation in this difficult area is opening up new possibilities for progress without conflict or ethical controversy. Researchers pursuing these kinds of ethically responsible advances 

deserve support, and there is legislation in the Congress to give 

them that support. Bills supporting alternative research methods 

achieved majority support last year in both the House and the Senate. Earlier this spring another bill supporting alternative research 

won overwhelming majority support in the Senate, and I call on 

House leaders to pass similar legislation that would authorize additional funds for ethical stem cell research. We cannot lose the opportunity to conduct research that would give hope to those suffering from terrible diseases and help move our Nation beyond the 

controversies over embryo destruction. I invite policymakers and 

scientists to come together to solve medical problems without compromising either the high aims of science or the sanctity of human 

life. 


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S. 5, like the bill I vetoed last year, would overturn today’s carefully balanced policy on stem cell research. Compelling American 

taxpayers to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos 

would be a grave mistake. I will not allow our Nation to cross this 

moral line. For that reason, I must veto this bill. 

GEORGE W. BUSH. 

THE WHITE HOUSE, June 20, 2007. 

Æ 


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