Today President Bush issued his second veto against increased federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.  It is only the third veto of his entire administration.  As before, I support Bush’s ultimate decision, although my rationale is a bit different.

Beware of political canards associated with the debate over stem cell research.  Proponents argue that embryonic stem cell research could cure just about everything.  I don’t doubt that it could ultimately prove fruitful, but private investment into embryonic stem cell research - which is legal - is a great barometer of the potential upside.  You’ll read and hear about how many embryos will be discarded because of Bush’s veto.  Why aren’t companies in the medical field purchasing those embryos for research?  Say what you will about their focus on profits rather than patients, but it they felt that embryonic stem cell research could result in dramatic cures then they would dump tons of money into research in order to reap the greater rewards on the back end.

It’s easy for politicians, actors and other lay people to tout the virtues of embryonic stem cell research, but if people in the know aren’t putting their own money at risk investing in research it makes me think that the claims of proponents just might be over hyped.

• Right Veto - Wrong Reason
• Not a terribly surprising result
• Politicians have no ability to define what is reasonable
• Surprise! Baptist preacher finds homosexuality sinful
• Regulation proposed at every turn

This entry was posted by Brian on Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 at 4:56 pm and is filed under Government, Health Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Please note the copyright policy.