The reason why Bush and republicans couldn't sell this argument is they were spending so much money and growing government so much that a fiscal defense for what was basically a conservative moral argument looked lame. .
That’s an excellent point.
It should be said, though, that the fact research dollars from Bush administration grants using adult stem cells has contributed to some 73 treatments will never be brought forth. He’ll get zero credit for having advanced science in this regard; all anybody will say is that he stood in the way.
I have no special brief for Bush, but I’m not sure there has ever been a president who’s had so many lies told about him. Funny thing about lies, though - they get found out eventually. Just ask Obama.
If the right had the sense to frame the debate in these terms rather than allowing themselves to get bogged down in morality it would have won the debate handily years ago. Ultimately the science is correcting this misstep but even as science is quietly acknowledging that autologous (self-donation) is the only way to go, the press on all sides still refuses to reframe the issue.
In 2010 how many people understand that the only "adult" cells that can help them in stem cell therapy are their own cells?