U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-chairman of the Bipartisan Pro-Life Caucus, today issued the following statement praising President George W. Bush for vetoing S. 5, a bill to allow federal funding for embryo-destroying stem cell research and for expanding the federal government’s commitment to effective, ethical stem cell research:

    “Today, President Bush has proved once again that he understands something that Speaker Pelosi and her allies cannot seem to comprehend—the future of stem cell research is in ethical stem cell research, not life-destroying research.”

    “I praise President Bush for both vetoing this misguided bill and for expanding the federal commitment to pluripotent stem cell research that does not compromise human dignity.”

    “While embryonic stem cell research has yet to result in a single cure, one breakthrough after another have been made through research and therapies using adult stem cells. The President understands that it is here where the hope is, not in destroying embryos so as to derive their stem cells.”

    “The House will again uphold the President’s veto. It is my hope that this time, Speaker Pelosi and her allies understand that unsuccessful embryo-destroying research is not the only option before us. Stem Cell research options that are ethical, that are already yielding successful medical therapies and that are showing promise for treating many additional diseases and conditions are the types of research where our resources should be invested.”

    Smith’s Work to Promote Effective and Ethical Stem Cell Research

    Smith is the author of the landmark law, “The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005” (P.L. 109-129), which seeks to increase the nation’s supply of cord blood and create a national registry to match cord blood for those in need, opening the door to potentially hundreds of cures and treatments by using the stem cells in umbilical cords. 

    In total, the “Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005” (P.L. 109-129) authorized $265 million dollars for umbilical cord blood collection and storage and for reauthorization of the National Bone Marrow Registry. 

    Smith's law created the first national inventory to collect the needed units of blood and make them readily available. It authorized collection of 150,000 units of cord blood, with a focus on genetic diversity that is expected to meet the needs of 90% of all patients. These units will be made available through an open registry that will link public cord blood banks nationwide to simplify a physician’s search for a blood match.