Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty Vetoes Pro-Cloning Bill.(Tim Pawlenty vetoes Kahn-Cohen Cloning Bill )

Pro-lifers in Minnesota turned back still another "clone and kill" proposal when pro-life Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a measure sponsored by two Democrats, State Rep. Phyllis Kahn and State Sen. Richard Cohen. While the veto could not be overridden because the legislative session has ended, Pawlenty took the issue so seriously he took the time to carefully elaborate his objections and his alternatives.

S.F. 100 was approved last year in the Senate and in the House this month. The measure would not only have authorized the University of Minnesota to spend millions of dollars of state money on human embryonic stem cell research, it would also have required that researchers face felony charges if they did not destroy the human clones.

As per usual the bill was wrapped in assurances that nothing "unethical" would have been authorized because there would be an "oversight committee." Pawlenty, however, was not fooled.

In his message, he reiterated that he "support[s] stem cell research that is consistent with sound ethical and moral standards." Pawlenty then offered a specific list of acceptable alternatives which many have argued are both uncontroversial and much more likely to result in benefits to patients.

Noting that stem cell research is "evolving rapidly," Pawlenty touted the use of adult stem cells. "This creates ample opportunity to work towards lifesaving cures without crossing core ethical and moral boundaries," he wrote. "We should encourage this science."

In his veto message ...