U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

49–011 2006

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 


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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 


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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. 

Æ 


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