The U.S. Senate has passed two bills that would increase federal funding of stem cell research. One of the bills loosens the restrictions President Bush put on the embryonic stem cell field soon after his election, closely imitating legislation he vetoed last year and has promised to reject again. The second bill, backed by Republicans, offers research support for adult stem cell programs. Support for new federal funds to back research on embryonic stem cell research has grown since the last election, but yesterday's vote still fell four votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. Supporters, nevertheless, say it's clear that it's only a matter of time before Congress pushes through new funds for the research field.
- read the AP report on the vote
ALSO: The board of California's stem cell institute have voted to oppose proposed legislation that would set price caps on any new stem cell therapies that result from state funding. Report