As you probably know,
George W. Bush used his first veto to kill a bill that would allow for more stem cell research.
Sucks to be you, cancer sufferers, people who need organ donations, and just about everyone else.
Here's
a clip from the NIH website about stem cell research.
Why are doctors and scientists so excited about human embryonic stem cells?Stem cells have potential in many different areas of health and medical research. To start with, studying stem cells will help us to understand how they transform into the dazzling array of specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to problems that occur somewhere in this process. A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to understand and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions.
Another potential application of stem cells is making cells and tissues for medical therapies. Today, donated organs and tissues are often used to replace those that are diseased or destroyed. Unfortunately, the number of people needing a transplant far exceeds the number of organs available for transplantation. Pluripotent stem cells offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat a myriad of diseases, conditions, and disabilities including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis....
From the
Guardian: "Bill Frist, the Republican majority leader, said history would liken Mr Bush to those who had imprisoned Galileo and scoffed at the idea of electricity, and who look 'absolutely ridiculous' today."
posted by Matt Borondy at 7/20/2006 11:01:00 AM 
