California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a stem cell bill that would make stem cell therapy and research more affordable in the state.
SB 1565, sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, a Santa Monica Democrat, and George Runner, a Republican from Antelope Valley, was vetoed by Arnold on Saturday due to what he called underminding “the express intent of Proposition 71,” which was approved by California voters back in 2004.
According to Schwarzenegger, by approving the bill, it would’ve actually eliminated the need for priority funding for human embryonic stem cell research, a fact that would go against what the California people wanted.
“More than 7 million voters were very clear when they passed Proposition 71 in 2004,” Schwarzenegger said. “They wanted to fund embryonic stem cell research that the federal government wouldn’t. They also wanted to make sure that California receives a return for its historic investment in medical research. Both of these important goals are already being accomplished.
“This bill does nothing to advance the will of over 7 million voters. For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill.”
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