President Bush claims he solved the stem cell crisis as he does any difficult decision. "I slam my head in the door of my pickup until I thinks of an answer."
On Monday President Bush took time out from his "working vacation" to reconfirm his position on the federal funding of stem cell research. Last week the president finally made up his mind on the controversial subject before delivering a short speech to the American public.
Bush has decided to allow funding to continue for research using already existing stem cell lines, but flatly rejects the funding and creation of any new ones.
The stem cells in question are those taken from embryos, which scientists believe may one day lead to the treatment of various ailments such as Alzheimer's disease or spinal cord injury. Harvesting of such stem cells destroys the embryo they are taken from.
Bush's decision drew ire from both sides of the debate, with religious leaders and conservatives claiming there should be no funding of embryonic research whatsoever, while most Democrats and liberals believe that Bush's move will delay the potential cures and treatments for the illnesses it seeks to end.
Bush, however, is unmoved by both sides, claiming his way "is the bestest way possible" both from a moral and "scientifistic" perspective.
The president has also threatened to veto any legislative attempts to alter his decision.
In a New York Times op-ed article printed in the Sunday edition, Bush defended his beliefs.
"We do not end some lives for the medical benefit of others," he wrote, "and the sanctity of life must be preserved at all costs. No, the only time it is right to end a life is to satisfy the vengeance of others through the miracle of capital punishment."
Bush has also taken the time to criticize efforts by scientists to impregnate 200 women with clones, saying it is "morally wrong to clone peoples. Unless, of course, they are clones of me, in which case it will make it that much easier for me to become a dictator and crush the will of the American peoples."
