George W. Bush

==== Stem cell research and first veto ====
Federal funding for medical research involving the creation or destruction of human embryos through the [[Department of Health and Human Services]] and the [[National Institutes of Health]] has been forbidden by law since the passage of the [[Dickey–Wicker Amendment]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=September 1, 2008 |url=http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/stemcells/index.shtml |title=AAAS Policy Brief: Stem Cell Research |publisher=[[American Association for the Advancement of Science]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005102130/http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/briefs/stemcells/index.shtml |archive-date=October 5, 2008 }}</ref> Bush has said he supports adult [[stem cell]] research and has supported federal legislation that finances adult stem cell research. However, Bush did not support [[embryonic stem cell]] research.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html |title=President Discusses Stem Cell Research |publisher=Office of the President |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506144005/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html |url-status=live |archive-date=May 6, 2013 }}</ref> On August 9, 2001, Bush signed an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for the 71 existing "lines" of stem cells,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/NIHFedPolicy.asp |title=NIH's Role in Federal Policy Stem Cell Research |publisher=[[National Institutes of Health]] |access-date=June 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617221306/http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/NIHFedPolicy.asp |archive-date=June 17, 2009}}</ref> but the ability of these existing lines to provide an adequate medium for testing has been questioned. Testing can be done on only 12 of the original lines, and all approved lines have been cultured in contact with mouse cells, which creates safety issues that complicate development and approval of therapies from these lines.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Time |date=August 11, 2003 |access-date=September 1, 2008 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,472876,00.html |title=Stem Cells in Limbo |first=Michael D. |last=Lemonick |archive-date=May 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502232627/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C472876%2C00.html }}</ref> On July 19, 2006, Bush used his veto power for the first time in his presidency to veto the [[Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act]]. The bill would have repealed the Dickey–Wicker Amendment, thereby permitting federal money to be used for research where stem cells are derived from the destruction of an embryo.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/19/stemcells.veto/ |title=Bush Vetoes Embryonic Stem Cell Bill |publisher=CNN |date=September 25, 2006 |access-date=June 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502232627/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/19/stemcells.veto/ |archive-date=May 2, 2013 }}</ref>