Washington, Jul 19, 2006 -

Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) today voted to uphold President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810), a piece of legislation that uses taxpayer dollars to support and encourage a line of research requiring the intentional destruction of living human embryos for the derivation of their cells. Congressman McHenry statement is below:

“I applaud President Bush for following up on his promise to the American people and vetoing legislation that uses taxpayer money to harvest embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research is morally wrong because it’s based on the concept that you create life to destroy it. Scientific discovery should never compromise our moral integrity.”

“The government has no business funding research that ends life while carrying the banner of scientific progress – this is not progress; it’s a breakdown in medical ethics.”

“Additionally, embryonic stem cell research has not produced a single medical treatment – whereas ethical, adult stem cells have been used to treat 72 diseases and conditions, such as cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries. We must use methods based on principle. Methods that have a proven track record of success. Methods that do not destroy human life.”

“Medical breakthroughs should improve life, not take life.”

The U.S. House of Representatives failed to reach the two-thirds majority necessary to overturn the president’s veto today; the final tally was 235 to 193.