GEORGE W. BUSH has wielded his first presidential veto in what amounts to a scandalous act of executive irresponsibility. His pledge to block proposals to lift federal funding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research has been compared by his own senators to the actions of those who scoffed at electricity.

The legislation is backed by bipartisan majorities of both Houses of Congress, three quarters of the American public and the overwhelming majority of scientists. But Dubya thinks he knows better.

Some Bush supporters have sought to mitigate the President’s isolation by attempting shamelessly to undermine the scientific basis of stem cell research. They have stated that there is no guarantee that such research will produce tangible results, an assertion of breathtaking irresponsibility, given that all pioneering research is speculative and given that the potential benefit (which many scientists are confident will materialise) is a range of cures for such illnesses as Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

The President’s objection to the legislation, however, is different. He claims to be opposed ideologically to the destruction of embryos implied by stem cell research, despite these embryos being microscopic clumps of cells, left over from fertility clinics, that are otherwise likely be destroyed. A White House spokesman said on Tuesday: “The simple answer is that the President thinks that murder is wrong .” Strong words when you consider that Bush presided over more than 150 executions when Governor of Texas.

Activists have proclaimed Bush’s position as “principled”, but it is nothing of the sort. If the President really believed that the destruction of week-old embryos is tantamount to murder he would be campaigning aggressively against the Pill and, for that matter, privately funded embryonic stem cell research. He would be having sleepless nights about the supposed infanticide happening daily on American soil.

The reality, of course, is different. Bush and his advisers came out against stem cell research when the priority was to energise his conservative base. What strategists failed to predict was just how fast public opinion would move forward.

This veto is flawed even on its own shabby terms. It should appal anyone at risk from cancer, Alzheimer’s or paralysis. In other words, all of us.