Fortenberry Votes to Sustain Veto on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Fortenberry Votes to Sustain Veto on Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today voted to sustain President Bush's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (H.R. 810), which expands research using embryonic stem cells. Fortenberry issued the following statement:

"I support stem cell research using adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood cells. This kind of research saves lives and avoids the ethically divisive issue of the destruction of human embryos.

"Taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research poses profound ethical dilemmas for many Americans and has shown no therapeutic results to date. I support the President's veto of this legislation.

"Remarkable medical advances have been made using adult stem cells and are right now curing diseases and enhancing the quality of life. Thus far at least 70 different diseases have been treated using these cells."

The House of Representatives sustained the veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 on a vote of 235 to 193.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ne01_fortenberry/pr_060719.html