White House Rep: Bush Still Opposed to Embryonic Stem Cell Research 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 2, 2006
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — White House Press Secretary Tony Snow reiterated President Bush’s position against embryonic stem cell research and federal funding of it during a Wednesday news conference. He indicated the president wouldn’t back down from his stance even if Missouri residents approve a measure funding it and human cloning.
"What the President has said is that he does not believe that federal money ought to be used for embryonic stem cell research that requires the destruction of the human life," Snow told a reported from WorldNetDaily.
Advocates of the grisly research, which has yet to help a single patient and still has major scientific hurdles to overcome, have said President Bush’s refusal to allow taxpayer funding for new embryonic stem cell research is hurting science.
But Snow said states like Missouri are free to enact their own rules.
He said the president, "also understands that there is considerable debate about this, and he has not stood in the way of people who want to do private investment."
Despite what states like Missouri and others may do, Snow said adult stem cell research is showing the best promise for patients.
"It’s worth pointing out, once again, that in the areas that have shown by far the most promise and actually have demonstrated the ability to deal with degenerative conditions — and that would be adult blood cord stem cells," Snow said.
"We continue to have a vigorous funding program and will continue to because the President, like everybody else, wants to figure out if there’s some way to unlock the promise of these — to deal with awful diseases like Parkinson’s and others," Snow added.
The election results will likely put more pressure on President Bush to sign a bill to expand taxpayer funding for embryonic stem cell research.
The Senate was a handful of votes away from overturning the president’s veto of Congressional funding and the House was a few dozen votes away. Both votes will be even closer next year.
