Reporter Silla Brush reports:
Senate Republicans hyped a stem cell measure this morning that will compete with a Democratic bid for more federal funding of this controversial technology.
Republican Sens. Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Norm Coleman of Minnesota have introduced the measure, acronymically branded the HOPE Act (Hope Offered Through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research Act"), and have received support from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Their bill, they say, seeks a "middle ground" piece of legislation that would increase federal funding for some forms of research on embryonic stem cells, such as those found in very early stage embryos, but not for research that would involve the destruction of human embryos. It would also finance research on embryos that have died naturally.
President Bush has already vowed to veto the stem cell bill pushed by Democrats that would lift the ban on federal dollars going to new embryonic research studies. The only veto of his presidency has been on such a stem cell bill.
One Republican aide said he believes Republicans are edging closer to 60 votes in support of their bill. Bush indicated today that he might sign such a compromise.
Etc.: Stem Cells May Help Treat Diabetes (Video), on USNews.com
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