It’s ba-ack!
The Senate starts debate on embryonic stem cell research funding again on Tuesday. Presumably, the bill will pass the Senate, then get vetoed by the great decider. Randy Kuhl and Jim Walsh will be in for another rough ride, as they foist a Mississippi style anti-science vote on their pro-science upstate New York constituents. This piece in the Politico describes the actual debate pretty well:
The debate centers on whether the federal government should fund research on stem cells derived from embryos donated by fertility clinics. The embryos, castoffs from the clinics, would otherwise be destroyed. The cells are prized because scientists are learning to program them to become any cell in the body, a practice that offers the promise of regenerative medicine. And, supporters say, because embryonic stem cells are blank, they are more malleable than their more developed brethren.
I like the sound of this:
If Bush repeats last year’s veto, Democrats may attempt to tack the legislation onto a must-pass appropriations bill, said Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), the House bill’s sponsor.
“His term will end,” DeGette said of Bush. “In January 2009, we will have a pro-stem-cell president and reverse this decision.”
Related posts:
Where do umbilical stem cells fit into this equation?
I don’t know. I’ll try to find out.