Stem Cell Progress

As Yuval Levin points out, House Democrats plan to send Bush legislation that would ease up on restrictions placed on federally funded, embryonic stem cell research tomorrow. Given Bush's record, he is expected to make the right decision and veto the measure.

Meanwhile the democrats cry foul.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., a leading advocate of the legislation, did not dispute that assessment in an interview. "If he does veto it again it will just show his complete unwillingness to look at this research that holds the potential for cure of these diseases," she said.DeGette is wrong. Bush will show is complete unwillingness to destroy human embryos to further research.

DeGette is wrong. By vetoing the legislature, Bush shows his complete unwillingness to destroy human embryos - human life - to further research. There are other options. In fact, recent news shows that major progress is being made.

In a big step toward a long-sought goal, three teams of scientists say they've produced the equivalent of embryonic stem cells, at least in mice, without taking the controversial step of destroying embryos.

Genetic "reprogramming" of mouse cells can create cells that mimic embryonic stem cells, biologists report Wednesday, pioneering a new approach to so-called "regenerative" medicine.

The findings by three teams publishing in the journals Nature and Cell Stem Cell mean the reprogrammed cells may offer a less-controversial way to make rejection-free tissues for transplant patients.

More research does need to be conducted before we know if the reprogramming will work in humans. However, this is a step in the right direction. Instead of pushing for the destruction of life, more time and energy should be expended towards improving this process.