US President George W. Bush used his legislative veto for the first time to block a bill that would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. "It crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect, so I vetoed it," Bush said at the White House.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, passed by the US Senate on Tuesday, would lift rules Bush set in 2001 that make federal funds available only for research on a small number of embryonic stem cell lines which existed at that time.
Supporters have said the research offers major hope to cure many life-threatening illnesses including Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers' disease.
But the president had repeatedly threatened to veto the bill on moral grounds.
"We must also remember that embryonic stem cells come from human embryos that are destroyed for their cells. Each of these human embryos is a unique human life with inherent dignity and matchless value," Bush said in his comments to specially invited families at the White House.
"Some people argue that finding new cures for disease requires the destruction of human embryos," Bush said, before adding: "I disagree.
"I believe that with the right techniques and the right policies we can achieve scientific progress while living up to our ethical responsibilities."
