Murray Disappointed by Bush Position on Life Saving Stem Cell Research

“With millions of American patients and their families waiting for a cure, President Bush is threatening to veto hope.

As he has in the past, the President acknowledged the benefits of stem cell research but told patients and medical researchers that to support its funding ‘would be a great mistake.’

The true mistake is to delay the potential of stem cells to treat and better understand deadly and disabling diseases and conditions that affect millions of Americans.

While I am glad that the President has pledged support for research on cord-cells, this step still falls well short of what is needed to realize the full potential of stem cell research.

As a cosponsor of the Senate version of the Stem Cell Research Act, I support providing federal funding to conduct research on embryonic stem cells. This legislation mandates that the bioethical guidelines set forth by the National Institutes of Health will be implemented.

Stem cell research offers a potential cure for patients across our country. The President should be providing hope – not threatening to veto it.”