Romney's wife, [Ann Romney], suffers from a disease that could potentially be cured by stem cell research, and Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's communications director, said the governor "wants to encourage and support scientific research and the discovery of new cures."

Even as he parted company with [Bush] on the issue of expanded federal funding for stem cell research, Romney said he has no intention of earmarking state money for research efforts by firms or universities here in Massachusetts, as New Jersey recently did. He also refused to take a position on a new, cutting-edge stem cell harvesting technique that involves the cloning of human cells for therapeutic stem cell treatments.

In Massachusetts, home to the nation's largest cluster of biotechnical research, many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been eager to portray the Bay State as the ideal center for stem cell research. For two years, legislation aimed at encouraging the research has passed the state Senate, but later died in the House, where Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, an opponent of stem cell research, has refused to allow a vote on the topic. In both instances, Romney has said he would have signed the legislation if it had crossed his desk.