US state legislators override veto on stem cell research

Massachusetts legislators overrode on Tuesday Governor Mitt Romney's veto on a bill that lifts restrictions on stem cell research in the state.

Reports reaching here said the vote was 112-42 in the House and 35-2 in the Senate, exceeding the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

The bill, which became law immediately after the vote, amends previous state law that requires any embryonic stem cell research in the state to be approved by the local district attorney. The new law replaces the limit with certain regulation from the state health department.

The Republican governor vetoed the bill last week over its approval of cloning of human embryos for use in stem cell experiments. However, the new law bans reproductive cloning, in accordance with the federal legislation.

Supporters of embryonic stem cell research hope Massachusetts could lead in the country's cutting-edge research towards finding cure and treatments for spinal cord injures and diseases such as childhood diabetes and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Source: Xinhua