Cardinal Urges Veto of Embryonic Stem Cell Legislation

The head of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee has encouraged President George W. Bush to veto any legislation that would loosen restrictions on FEDERALLY funded (notice that it doesn't say privately funded)human embryonic stem-cell research.

The statement was issued by Baltimore Cardinal William H. Keeler, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, after Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., modified his stand to back legislation that would relax restrictions.

Frist's support improves chances that the Senate will pass a bill easing restrictions when it returns in September from its summer recess. The House already passed such a bill.

"I commend President Bush for his laudable pledge to veto such legislation," said Cardinal Keeler in a July 29 statement.

The cardinal's statement was issued in Washington by the U.S. bishops' Department of Communications hours after Frist, who previously agreed with Bush's restrictions, said in a Senate speech that the Bush policy was hindering research that could lead to cures for a number of diseases.


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