NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005

Story Continues Below

  Schwarzenegger, a Republican, said Californians showed their support last November for stem cell research by approving a proposition providing $3 billion in state tax-exempt bonds to fund such California-based research for 10 years.

Schwarzenegger also said he supports a Senate bill co-sponsored by Feinstein, a Democrat, that would make human reproductive cloning or attempts to clone humans a federal crime. California already has a state law banning human reproductive cloning.

Feinstein also urged the Senate to pass a House bill approved by that chamber in May that would expand the number of stem cell lines eligible for federal funding for research.

Therapeutic cloning, which relies on the use of embryonic tissue, produces genetically identical stem cells that can develop into any other type of cell in the body.

Advocates believe the procedure has the potential to provide new treatments and cures for spinal cord injury patients and those suffering from juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other debilitating diseases.

Opponents of therapeutic cloning contend the process involves creating human life to destroy it.

Villaraigosa, a Democrat, said the benefits from stem cell research would be felt far beyond the state.

"We need Washington to stop playing politics that could impact California's efforts to lead the nation in life saving research," the mayor said. © 2005 The Associated Press

Editor's note:
Find the secrets to long life from the Mayo Clinic – Click Here
You Can Beat Cancer! Click Here Now

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Stem Cell Research