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[House Document 109-127]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                     

109th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 109-127

 
                        VETO MESSAGE ON H.R. 810

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

  HIS VETO OF H.R. 810, THE STEM CELL RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005

    July 20, 2006.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
       Committee on Energy and Commerce and ordered to be printed
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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