# Bush's war on therapeutic stem-cell science continues **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 20, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-war-on-therapeutic-stem-cell-science-continues/304751 "2005-05-20T15:54:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-war-on-therapeutic-stem-cell-science-continues/304751/41 "2005-05-21T14:48:10Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Yeah, there’s no way a private research effort could raise the [$200,000](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=585&e=3&u=/nm/20050520/sc_nm/stemcells_hwang_dc) that was used by the Korean group to do their research. And if you knew in advance which scientist would come up with a successful result, all you need is $200,000. In reality you need to give a $200,000 grant to many groups and hope that at least one comes up with a good result. This isn’t a matter of incompetence, you need to test every possible theory or method to find one that works. Also, in all likelyhood the group is using some of the equipment their previous grants (and those of their colleagues) paid for, and has grad students who are getting their own government funding, etc. And that’s not even counting all the previous research on which it’s based. > [@Mr. Moto](#): > > First of all, it is a fiction that the Bush administration has banned stem cell research. What it has done is limit federal funding to certain cell lines. And this limitation on cell lines would have made it impossible to make the breakthrough the Korean group did. You’re right that it’s only a ban on federal funding, but if I understand it correctly, it means you need to set up an entire lab with no federal funding at all. Do you have any idea how limiting that is? And we’re talking about basic research which, even if successful, would require enormous resources before it can be turned into a money-making echnology. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-war-on-therapeutic-stem-cell-science-continues/304751/42 "2005-05-21T15:15:24Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > And this limitation on cell lines would have made it impossible to make the breakthrough the Korean group did. You’re right that it’s only a ban on federal funding, but if I understand it correctly, it means you need to set up an entire lab with no federal funding at all. Do you have any idea how limiting that is? And we’re talking about basic research which, even if successful, would require enormous resources before it can be turned into a money-making echnology. It’s called being set up to fail. Place limits (deliberate roadblocks) on what is to be allowed and how it is to be done, and then use the money (lack of it) as the final nail in the coffin. Afterwards, put on the sad face and claim “we tried”. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-war-on-therapeutic-stem-cell-science-continues/304751/43 "2005-05-21T16:10:39Z")
> [@](#): > > “It’s disappointing that the president would threaten to use his first veto on a bill that holds promise for cures to diseases that affect millions of Americans,” DeGette said. “Support for expanding federal stem cell research in an ethical manner remains strong in Congress.” > > Stem cells are building blocks that give rise to every tissue in the body. Supporters of embryo stem cell research, including former first lady Nancy Reagan, say it could lead to cures for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other degenerative brain and nerve diseases. > [@](#): > > Bush and **some religious and conservative groups** who believe life begins at conception are offended by the research and don’t think tax money should be used to finance it. > [@](#): > > Bush began Friday at the National Catholic \*\*Prayer Breakfast \*\* where he reaffirmation his position on sensitive issues such as abortion and stem cell research. He urged people to “pray that America uses the gift of freedom to build a **culture of life**.” Oh, the irony and hypocrisy. Once again, the far right theocrats are shaping the world that the rest of us have to live in. Culture of life, my ass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-war-on-therapeutic-stem-cell-science-continues/304751.md?page=2)