CLAIM: President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in July of 2006 was a proportional reaction to the expanding influence of conservative political ideology and religious fundamentalism throughout America.

VARIABLES: My independent variables are conservative political ideology and religious fundamentalism. My dependant variable is President Bush’s 2006 veto of the Stem Cell Enhancement Act, also known as the H.R. 810 Bill.

EXPECTATIONS: I expect to find overwhelming and convincing evidence to corroborate my assertion that the expanding influence of conservative political ideology and religious fundamentalism in America are the two most profound independent variables to affect President Bush’s 2006 veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I also expect to obtain convincing evidence that political conservatism and religiosity have an interactive effect on the public attitude towards stem cell research which directly influences federal policy concerning this controversial issue. It is my contention that the preponderance of evidence will confirm my theory that as the level of conservatism and religious zeal rises; the public support and enthusiasm for stem cell research will wane proportionally, resulting in federal policies that continue to be restrictive and obtuse.

EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE CLAIM: With the advent of technology and subsequent advances in human stem cell research, the scientific and medical communities were inspired to pressure our government to define a generous federal policy concerning the funding and guidelines for embryonic stem cell research. In July of 2006, President Bush issued his first veto in 5 ½ years in office, rejecting a bill that would have loosened the existing restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research. (1) President Bush’s veto maintained the arbitrary and restrictive policies he introduced in 2001, while sparking passionate debate and speculation about the possible variables that influenced his decision. In May 2005, The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press released the results of their public opinion poll on stem cell research. This poll consisted of 2000 people between the ages of 18 and 65. When asked about religious affiliation, roughly half (52%) of opponents to stem cell research said their religious beliefs were the biggest influence on their thinking. The Pew Poll continues to support my claim by stating, “Conservative Republican opponents are especially likely (70%) to cite religion as their main influence, as are evangelical Protestant opponents (69%). (2) In August 2001, President Bush passed legislation that allowed for limited federal funding for stem cell research. This funding was contingent on the appropriate origin, strain, and date of collection. Bush’s new policy was very frustrating and discouraging to those in the medical and scientific communities. In support of the conservative ideology variable, The Cornell University Survey Research Institute conducted a poll in 2005 and concluded that 34% of individuals polled considered stem cell research unethical and immoral, while 21% were opposed to the use of their tax dollars on this issue, and 18% were opposed to retrieving stem cells from aborted fetuses. (3) The 21% directly supports my conservative hypothesis. In the July, 2006 issue of The Guardian, Karen Armstrong’s article titled, “Bush’s Fondness for Fundamentalism is Courting Disaster at Home and Abroad,” offers support for the political ideology and religiosity claim. She writes. “The struggle continues… fundamentalists want to win the battle for God; liberals and secularist are fighting for truth and rationality. The same passions are likely to be aroused by President Bush’s decision last week to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act… Is there a connection between a religiously motivated mistrust of science and glaring social injustice? Bush and his administration espouse many of the ideals of the Christian right and rely on its support. “(4) The most compelling evidence that supports my claim is the words of George Bush himself. In a letter to the House of Representatives following his veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, Bush is wrote, “In 2001, I set forth a new policy on stem cell research that struck a balance between the needs of science and the demands of conscience.” (5) When Bush introduces “the demands of conscience,” He is presenting irrefutable evidence that the growing influence of religious fundamentalism was a crucial factor in his decision. Bush goes on to write, “H.R. 810 would overturn my Administration’s balanced policy on embryonic stem cell research, If this bill were to become law, American taxpayers for the first time in our history would be compelled to fund the deliberate destruction of human embryos. Crossing this line would be a grave mistake and would needlessly encourage a conflict between science and ethics that can only harm our nation as a whole.” (5) This statement says it all. In one paragraph Bush proves he is appealing to conservative ideology when he writes, “American taxpayers for the first time in our history would be compelled to fund the deliberate destruction of human embryos.” (5) He also courts the religious right by writing, “Crossing this line would be a grave mistake and would needlessly encourage a conflict between science and ethics that can only harm our nation as a whole.” (5) My claim that Bush’s veto was a reaction to the growing influence of religiosity and conservative idealism is further strengthened by the words of his own press secretary, Tony Snow. In Mr. Snow’s communication to the Christian Science Monitor, the following was said, “Since the issue of stem-cell research arose early in his presidency, when Mr. Bush approved federal funding of preexisting stem-cell lines, he has remained adamant that no federal monies be used on newer cell colonies. The president believes the killing of human embryos, from which stem cells are harvested, is murder… the issue matters deeply to religious conservatives, both evangelical and Catholic, and their support is crucial to Bush as he struggles to boost his low public approval ratings. (6)

EVIDENCE THAT WEAKENS THE CLAIM: Although President Bush’s letter to The House of Representatives appears to validate my initial claim, further research has revealed compelling evidence that my initial assertions were erroneous. In the aforementioned poll conducted by The Pew Research Center For The People and The Press, there exists a broad amount of conflicting evidence. The statistical data in this poll suggests that age and education are in actuality, the most significant independent variables influencing opinion on stem cell research. The numbers are as follows: in support of stem cell research, 60% for individuals between the age of 18-29, 56% for individuals between 30-49, and 55% for the 50-65 age groups. (2) The Pew Research Center’s poll continues to discount my initial claim by including statistics addressing the causal relationship between education and opinion as they relate to stem cell research. The following percentages represent support for continues research: 69% of college graduates, 59% of some college, 51% of high school graduates, and 43% for individuals with less than a high school education. (2) While The Cornell University Survey Research Institute poll did offer some support for my political ideology and religiosity hypothesis, the majority of statistic data supports the alternate variables of age and education. The numbers are consistent with the Pew Research Center’s poll numbers and even goes on to conclude the following, “Older respondents [56+ years old) were less likely (41% vs. 50%) to support a liberal stem cell proposal than younger respondents (18-35 yrs old)… Highly educated respondents (some form of graduate school) are twice as likely (60% vs. 30%) to vote in support of state funding for stem cell research than respondents with a low level of education (high school education or less)]. (3) In her Senate speech, President Vetoes Bill That Has Miraculous Power to Cure, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi presents a quote from the Episcopal Church that is contradictory to all previous evidence concerning this issue. Pelosi quotes an emotional and convincing plea of the church to reevaluate their position on stem cell research: The Episcopal Church in its letter in support of this legislation says; ‘As stewards of creation, we are called to help mend and renew the world in many ways. The Episcopal Church celebrates medical research, and this research expands our knowledge of God’s creation, and empowers us to bring potential healing to those who suffer from disease and disability. It is our duty here in Congress to bring hope to the sick and the disabled, not to bind the hands of those who can bring them hope. I believe God guided our researchers to discover the stem cell’s power to heal. Overturning the President’s cruel veto will enable science to live up to its potential to answer the prayers of American families. Many of our colleagues, here on the floor and in other venues, have shared the personal stories, whether it’s a condition of their children or an affliction of their parents… We fill a void in science that we know can be filled. I believe that if we know a scientific opportunity for a cure, we have a moral responsibility to support it. Mr. Speaker (Dennis Hastert), this bill will save lives and help us find the cures for disease in a shorter time span… This bill will enable science to live up to the biblical power to cure. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ‘yes.’ And override the president’s cruel veto. (7)
CONCLUSIONS: Based upon my extensive research, I conclude that my hypothesis is incorrect. I must adjust it to account for new and contradictory evidence. Originally, I opined that President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in July of 2006 was a proportional reaction to the expanding influence of conservative political ideology and religious fundamentalism throughout America. While the research affirmed my theory concerning the crucial influence religious fundamentalism had on President Bush’s veto, it categorically failed to present political conservative ideology as an equally decisive variable in maintaining federal stem cell policy. As the level of conservatism political ideology rises; the public support and enthusiasm for stem cell research indeed does not wane proportionally.

ENDNOTES 1. Richard Benedetto and Andrea Stone, “Bush Rejects Stem Cell Bill with His First Veto,” USA Today, no. 1 (2006): par. 1 [periodical online]; available from http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-07-19-stemcells_x.htm; Internet; accessed 6 April 2007. 2. The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press [database online], ed. Rich Morin (Washington, DC, 23 May 2005, accessed 5 April 2007); Available from http://people-press.org/commentary/display.php3?AnalysisID=111; Internet. 3. New York Empire State Poll 2005 Special Report: Stem Cell Research in NYS [database online], ed. Erik Nisbet (Cornell University Survey Research Institute, 2005, accessed 4 April 2007); available from http://sri.cornell.edu/sri/files/esp/Stem_Cell_Report_2005.pdf; Internet. 4. Karen Armstrong, “Bush’s Fondness for Fundamentalism is Courting Disaster at Home and Abroad,” The Guardian/UK, no. 1 (2006): par. 2, 3 & 5 [periodical online]; available from http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0731-25.htm; internet; accessed 6 April 2007. 5. George W. Bush Letter to the House Of Representatives [database online], ed. unknown (Washington, DC, 19 July 2006, accessed 5 April 2007); available from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060719-5.html; Internet. 6. Linda Feldman. Bush Makes first Veto on Stem Cells [database online], (Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2006), Social Issues Resource Series (SIRS), 2006.

7. Pelosi: 'President Vetoes Bill That Has Miraculous Power to Cure' [database online], ed. unknown (Washington, DC. 19 July 2006, accessed 3 April 2007); available from www.usnewswire.com at http://press.arrivenet.com/politics/article.php/825111.html; Internet.