The US House of Representatives has voted to lift restrictions on the controversial embryonic stem cell research that has been vehemently opposed by President George W. Bush, reports Xinhuanet.

The House passed a bill allowing embryonic stem cell research Tuesday by a 238-194 vote, far short of the two-thirds majority needed to sustain a veto. Bush has repeatedly said he will veto the bill.

Embryonic stem cells can grow into any tissue or cell in the body. Scientists believe embryonic stem cells would enable tailored cures for spinal cord injury and such diseases as childhood diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

However, the controversy arises from the fact that culling stem cells from embryos involves their destruction.

"This bill would take us across a critical ethical line by creating new incentives for the ongoing destruction of emerging human life," Bush said Tuesday while meeting a group of parents who adopted their children in the embryonic stage.

"Crossing this line would be a great mistake," he added.

The bill would lift Bush's 2001 ban on federal funding for new research using stem cell lines derived from embryos.

Supporters of the bill said it would allow the otherwise discarded embryos to be used for study. Bush said Tuesday that there were "no spare embryos."

An alternative bill offered by Republican leaders was also approved by a vote of 430-1. The bill focuses on the use of stem cells derived from adults and the umbilical cord rather than from embryos.

This bill would provide $79 million for stem cell research using blood from the umbilical cord and establish a national database for patients looking for matches.