Regents vote down embryonic stem cell restriction

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted down a proposed restriction on the use of embryonic stem cell research for the NU system at its meeting on Friday.

The resolution would have limited researchers at NU to only using stem cell lines approved by former President George W. Bush.

Regents Tim Clare, Randy Ferlic, Howard Hawks and Bob Phares drafted the resolution and all four voted in favor of its passing.

Regents Chuck Hassebrook, Bob Whitehouse, Kent Schroeder and Jim McClurg voted against the resolution. McClurg, who had previously been endorsed by pro-life groups, provided a key vote against the bill, which would have required a five vote majority to pass.