The House vote on Tuesday to loosen restrictions on embryonic stem cell research was encouraging. Current U.S. policy on stem cell research is too limiting. It can and should be loosened without plunging the nation down the slippery slope toward cloning humans.

The cost of current policy was shown last week when scientists announced a major breakthrough in the creation of cloned human embryonic stem cell lines.

The giant step forward in the fight to find effective new ways to treat disease came from South Korea. The United States is falling behind in this important field.

The South Korean researchers who produced the first cloned human embryonic stem cell line last year announced success in dramatically speeding the creation of the stem cells, growing 11 new stem cell lines that were a genetic match for 11 patients.

Because the stem cell lines are a genetic match for patients, scientists believe they would not be rejected by the patients' immune systems. The news boosts hopes that stem cell research could provide a new method for repairing spinal cord injuries and curing diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Embryonic stem cells have the capacity to perpetually self-renew, and can differentiate into any of the hundreds of different cell types in the human body.

Some right-to-life groups opposed embryonic stem cell research on the grounds that life begins at the moment of conception.

The traditional right-to-life coalition against abortion has fractured somewhat, however, on the complex topic of embryonic stem cell research. Mormons, for example, oppose abortion, but find some embryonic stem cell research morally acceptable. According to Mormon belief, life does not begin until a human embryo attaches to the mother's uterus after about 14 days. That is the moment, according to Mormon theology, at which the human spirit joined with human flesh and a resulting full human being is created.

The South Korean researchers used donated human eggs to create embryos in the laboratory.

President Bush seemed to find middle ground on the controversial issue when he approved a policy in his first term that permitted federally funded research on existing embryonic stem cell lines. About 70 stem cell lines were thought to be viable at the time. Since then, however, a third have proved usable for research.

Bush has made clear that he will veto any attempt to expand the field of embryonic research.

Disappointingly, all members of Nebraska's House delegation voted against the bill to loosen restrictions. That leaves it to more far-sighted members of Congress to allow more scientists in the United States to join in this exciting research that holds such tremendous potential for millions of sick and injured people.