WASHINGTON - President George Bush has rejected Democrats bid to increase federal funding embryonic stem cell research by vetoing a proposed legislation, which means that Democrats will have to now garner at least two thirds majority in both the houses to pass the bill.
However Democrats admit that they will be unable to find such support in the house to pass the bill into a law. This is the second time in two years that Bush has vetoed a bill to increase the federal spending.
Bush has also issued an executive order calling on scientists to work in collaboration with the government in finding ways to harvest stem cells without compromising the embryo.
Advocacy groups and scientists called the ban a sham. Sean Tipton of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research said as much, "President Bush isn't fooling anyone with this executive order; and the fact that it doesn't change the policy adds insult to injury for the millions of patients who suffer every day," he added.
In a released statement the White House said the proposed legislation is morally offensive. Bush has always maintained that he is in favor of finding alternate methods to harvest stem cells. His stance is supported by the conservatives.
"If this legislation became law, it would compel American taxpayers -- for the first time in our history -- to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos," the White House said. "The president has made it clear ... that he will not allow the nation to cross this moral line."
