Veto Stem Cell Research
I'm on record (here and here, at least) in support of prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars for stem cell research. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm glad that Bush will veto legislation expanding federal funding of stem cell research. I support the veto for several reasons.
1) If stem cells really have the potential to cure or alleviate numerous conditions, then researchers should have no problem raising private funding for the necessary research.
2) The federal government shouldn't be distorting scientific research and the market process by picking winner and losers. (Seriously, federal funding of stem cell research could drive research down a dead end road. The opportunity cost would be research in other areas that could save lives).
3) It is fundamentally wrong to force people to fund activities they find morally repugnant. Taxpayers who oppose stem cell research shouldn't be forced to fund it.
4) Being pro-choice means just that. If you want to fund stem cell research, fund it. If you don't, don't. Proponents shouldn't force opponents to fund it, and opponents shouldn't prohibit proponents from doing research with their own money.
5) I would like Bush to finally veto something, especially something that has to do with the expenditure of money (even though the result will be that federal funding is wasted on less politically controversial research).
I'm uneasy about my position though. Maybe it's because Ronald Bailey opposes the ban or maybe it's because I'm increasingly against anything Bush and Republicans support, but I'm disturbed that Bush will use his first veto on this issue. This is where he draws the line? Seriously. Not the creation of a new government program. Not the expansion of federal power. But, the reform of a silly regulation that puts politics over science. I don't really want to see the social conservatives win. On anything. If there was a way to retroactively abort crazy right-wingers I would.
Sigh. Semi-humorous posts on this issue here (Wonkette) and here (Think Progress).
For the record, I think stem cells have potential. In fact, I'm snorting them up my nose right now. It's never too soon to start warding off Parkinson's. And by Parkinson's I mean paranoia. Is that an embryo peeping in my window?
1) If stem cells really have the potential to cure or alleviate numerous conditions, then researchers should have no problem raising private funding for the necessary research.
2) The federal government shouldn't be distorting scientific research and the market process by picking winner and losers. (Seriously, federal funding of stem cell research could drive research down a dead end road. The opportunity cost would be research in other areas that could save lives).
3) It is fundamentally wrong to force people to fund activities they find morally repugnant. Taxpayers who oppose stem cell research shouldn't be forced to fund it.
4) Being pro-choice means just that. If you want to fund stem cell research, fund it. If you don't, don't. Proponents shouldn't force opponents to fund it, and opponents shouldn't prohibit proponents from doing research with their own money.
5) I would like Bush to finally veto something, especially something that has to do with the expenditure of money (even though the result will be that federal funding is wasted on less politically controversial research).
I'm uneasy about my position though. Maybe it's because Ronald Bailey opposes the ban or maybe it's because I'm increasingly against anything Bush and Republicans support, but I'm disturbed that Bush will use his first veto on this issue. This is where he draws the line? Seriously. Not the creation of a new government program. Not the expansion of federal power. But, the reform of a silly regulation that puts politics over science. I don't really want to see the social conservatives win. On anything. If there was a way to retroactively abort crazy right-wingers I would.
Sigh. Semi-humorous posts on this issue here (Wonkette) and here (Think Progress).
For the record, I think stem cells have potential. In fact, I'm snorting them up my nose right now. It's never too soon to start warding off Parkinson's. And by Parkinson's I mean paranoia. Is that an embryo peeping in my window?
posted by Cicero @ 7/19/2006
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