The bill, H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, is sponsored in the House by Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Michael Castle (R-DE). It would rescind the Bush administration restriction allowing taxpayer funding of research performed on cells taken from embryos killed prior to August 9, 2001.

While the Bush policy has opened the door to unethical experiments on embryonic human beings, it is the only restriction that exists at the moment. Embryonic stem cell research paid for with private money is legal throughout the country, in itself a travesty.

H.R. 3, which was vetoed by President Bush last year, is likely to pass in both Houses of Congress. The Republican-led House sustained the President’s veto.

We are asking all Americans who are respectful of human life contact their Members to demand that they vote NO on H.R. 3!

If it passes, President Bush will have to veto it again. The vote this week will indicate the strength of support for a veto override now that the Democrats are in control.

Please go to the link below to read about the latest discoveries related to embryonic stem cells found in amniotic fluid. Regardless of the fact that many scientists stubbornly insist that killing embryos for their stem cells will yield a host of cures and therapies, there is absolutely no evidence to support that.

The fact that pluripotent stem cells exist in vast quantities within amniotic fluid gives rise to the possibility that these cells may prove superior to cells taken from embryos. In light of this, there should be no rush to expand President Bush’s guidelines for federal funding of ESCR. Instead, Congress should assume a very cautious stance, since human lives hang in the balance.