Congress Approves Bill Easing Restrictions On Stem Cell Research

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Spoiling for a veto fight, Congress cleared legislation Thursday easing restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. <br/><br/>The House vote to send the measure

Thursday, June 7th 2007, 7:15 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Spoiling for a veto fight, Congress cleared legislation Thursday easing restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

The House vote to send the measure to President Bush was 247-176, short of the level needed to override a second veto in as many years on the issue.

``For many, embryonic stem cell research is the most promising source of potential treatments and cures'' for debilitating disease, said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., the bill's leading advocate.

``Unfortunately, because of the stubbornness of one man _ President Bush _ these people continue to suffer as they wait,'' she added.

Critics of the legislation said the research requires the destruction of human embryos, and that alternatives have shown more promise.

``You're talking about spare embryos now but if it ever did work ... it would require the killing of millions of embryos,'' said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.

He also said a recent report by the U.S. Catholic Conference listed numerous breakthroughs involving research conducted on adult stem cells, cord blood and amniotic fluid, none of which involve the destruction of a human embryo.