American stem cell research: politics and policies  (Page 3/4)

Perhaps the most interesting part of the congressional debate is the fact that views on the topic do not necessarily follow traditional party lines or a person's opinion on abortion or right to life. This new debate has produced the most unlikely bipartisan partnerships and has resulted in a deadlock in Congress, which has sharply constrained federally funded research on embryonic stem cells and human cloning. At the same time, the deadlock has virtually left the privately funded research involving embryonic stem cells and human cloning completely unregulated.

Momentum for expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research began to build again as the 2004 presidential campaigns kicked into gear. In April of 2004, 206 members of the House of Representatives (out of 435) signed a letter to President Bush urging him to expand the current federal policy on embryonic stem cell research to include new lines developed after August 9, 2001. Following the House’s lead, the Senators that advocated embryonic stem cell research also wrote a letter to President Bush with 58 signatures (out of 100). On May 10, 2004 former First Lady Nancy Reagan publicly supported embryonic stem cell research at a fundraiser for juvenile diabetes. Although privately she had supported the research with personal letters to congressmen, this was her first public statement on the topic. Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family are often thought of as icons for the Republican Party and conservative ideals. This public acceptance led the way for other Republicans to support the issue. One month later, President Reagan, a victim of Alzheimers, passed away. Stem cell research was immediately brought into the forefront as a campaign issue for the 2004 election. Senator Kerry supported the expansion of the research, while the President Bush explained his current policy and promised to maintain the status quo.

With the return of President Bush to office in 2005, the possibility for changing the current federal policy seems unlikely. However, in May 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, perhaps the most significant legislative advance in the support of stem cell research (see Table II). Its passage was the result of an initiative from the leaders in both parties. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for stem cell research by stating that cells donated from excess supplies from IVF clinics are viable for use. It stipulates that these donations are to be made from embryos determined never to be implanted in a woman and under informed consent without any financial inducements. The bill goes on to say that reports of research carried out under these guidelines should be presented each fiscal year. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act needed to be passed by the U.S. Senate, and although the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) promised to bring it forward in 2005, the vote did not occur until July 2006. As he promised in May 2005, President Bush vetoed the bill on July 19, 2006 (the first use of the Presidential veto by Bush) and Congress was unable to override it.