In this week's science & technology minute: a shameless appeal for my life. Well, at least the quality of it and the way in which it might end.

Alzheimer's Disease and Type II Diabetes sometimes pop up in my family. What afflictions plague yours? I know very few people who are unaffected by some congenital disorder that we have the potential to cure within a few generations. Unfortunately, the President has decided to whip out his rather flaccid veto threat (oooh no a veto! Like North Korea, we're shakin' in our boots!) in order to "protect" some frozen cells on their way to the dumpster at the expense of delaying scientific progress for as long as it takes to get his science-hating party out of control of the government. Before you head out to your victory party, please take a minute to sign the following petition. The life you save may be your own.

More than one year ago, the House of Representatives passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810). This bill would override President Bush's 2001 decision to limit federal funding of embryonic stem cell research and take the first step toward providing potential cures for many debilitating diseases including Parkinson's and diabetes.

The U.S. Senate is poised to pass this landmark legislation this week and send it to the President's desk for his signature. Unfortunately, despite the support of 72% of Americans and overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress, President Bush is threatening to use the first veto of his term on this life saving research.

Please click on the petition below and ask President Bush to reconsider his veto threat.


http://progressnowaction.org/stemcellsupport

And lest I end on such a morbid note, I present to you the funniest t-shirt I saw in Washington a couple months ago: