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

[kpete]

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

Today, Bush is expected to veto a bill that would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. It will be 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.”

Question: Does President Bush believe that adult stem cell research has “far more promise” than embryonic stem cells? Is that a contributing factor in his decision to veto the bill?

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/07/19/defending-bushs-veto-rove-grossly-distorts-stem-cell-science/

[acmavm]

1. KKKarl lies. That's what KKKarl does.

[blm]

2. It never matters that Rove makes shit up when the media gives his answers

equal weight to 98% of the medical research community.

[KingFlorez]

3. The veto is a good thing, for the time being

That means stem cell research can still be an issue in the fall for the election. Most people think this is a good idea, it should happen.

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. Rove has a great future in the tobacco lobby. They need his talent

[Metta]

5. It's any convenient lie.

They think they don't have to care about anything that helps people. I'm continually appalled that they make up their own facts. They should all be in jail until the damage they've done is corrected.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. You have to follow their logic --

pursuing research into adult stem cells is much more promising than research into embryonic stem cells because we will not let you pursue research with embryonic stem cells. Obviously, something that is 10% effective is much better than something that you cannot do at all.

Yes, researchers are working with adult stem cells, and making some little progress with them. But they're the only game in town.