Stem-cell bill vetoed

Utah medical researchers and clinicians are among those hoping Congress will have enough votes to override President Bush's veto Wednesday of a bill that would ease restraints on federally funded embryonic stem-cell research.

"I'm enthusiastic about exploring stem-cell research on as many fronts as possible," said Dr. Mary Beckerle, executive director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. "We don't know which — adult or embryonic — will be more useful. We're in the early stages of research. But there are enough indicators, using narrow applications, of the utility of stem cells to regenerate tissue that can be useful."

"It holds great promise, although it is a long way off before it can be used for patients with nervous system disorders," said Dr. Mark Bromberg, neurologist at the University of Utah, who specializes in treating patients with nerve and muscle disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Bromberg called it a "tragedy" that, while other forms of stem cells can be studied using federal funds, embryonic stem cells cannot. "We're missing tremendous opportunities. And I think (embryonic stem cells) have tremendous potential that the others do not."

"It will take a lot more research to realize the potential," said Beckerle. "I would like to see our government support and make funding available for embryonic stem-cell research to compete alongside other outstanding projects."

In vetoing the bill, the president told an invited audience in the East Room Wednesday that "our innovative spirit is making possible incredible advances in medicine that can save lives and cure diseases. America is also a nation founded on the principle that all human life is sacred. And our conscience calls us to pursue the possibilities of science in a manner that respects human dignity and upholds our moral values."

Federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research has drawn both bipartisan and public support. Among the most ardent supporters is Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who said he would continue to fight for federal support of embryonic stem-cell research. Before the president put pen to paper to issue the veto, Democrats had vowed they'd try to override a veto. Hatch said he'd back "an attempt by Senate leadership" to do so as well.

"The veto was expected, but it is still disappointing," Hatch said in a written statement. "Support continues to grow — both in Congress and in the public — and it's only a matter of time before the federal government gets fully behind this research."

Two Democratic Party presidential nomination hopefuls, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, sharply renounced the veto Wednesday.