Defending Bush’s Veto, Rove Grossly Distorts Stem Cell Science

Today, Bush vetoed a bill that would have expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. It was the first veto of his presidency. Last week, Karl Rove –- explaining why Bush planned on vetoing the bill — told the Denver Post that “recent studies” show researchers “have far more promise from adult stem cells than from embryonic stem cells.”

The Chicago Tribune contacted a dozen top stem cell experts about Rove’s claim. They all said it was inaccurate. So who wrote the “studies” that Rove was referring to?

White House spokesman Ken Lisaius on Tuesday could not provide the name of a stem cell researcher who shares Rove’s views on the superior promise of adult stem cells.

In a letter to President Bush last year, a group of 80 Nobel laureates wrote that “current evidence suggests that adult stem cells have markedly restricted differentiation potential.”

Ed.: On a personal note, this debate now strikes very close to home. I can’t say that I actually thought much about stem cell research until last week – that’s when I found out I have developed diabetes. Now “I’ve got a dog in this fight,” as stem cell research offers hope for finding possible treatments and cures for a number of diseases and afflictions, including diabetes.

I actually don’t mind Pres. Bush’s veto of the stem cell funding question today. Reasonable people can differ in their opinions on this issue, and the President has consistently offered the same opinion on stem cell research funding. [Note: The President vetoed funding, not the actual research. However, any research facility that receives any type of federal funding, as in a university research program, may not do stem cell research - even with private money - without fear of losing their federal funding. Therefore, only purely private programs using private money only may do this type of research.]

I hope those that feel the importance of this issue as I now do (and apparently news reports are estimating that 72% of the general public does believe stem cell research funding is important) will consider their Congressional representatives’ votes on this issue when they go to the polls in November.

What I do mind is the President’s advisor, Karl Rove, once again disseminating false information in order to mislead all those gullible and empty-headed right-wingnuts. Rove was the brains/gall/ego behind W's transformation from boozer/drugger to born-again "leader"/figurehead, and his dirty little tricks bring dishonor to the Oval Office and stain what little integrity is left of the Bush Presidency. If Rove isn't lying, he’s leaking. He was fired in the Bush 41 White House, and he should have been fired from the Bush 43 White House for his treasonous act of outing a CIA agent. Hopefully this weasel will be gone before long!