SPRINGFIELD - A group of Senate Republicans threatened Tuesday to block passage of this year's budget if it contains funding for stem cell research.

All 27 Senate Republicans signed a letter to Gov. Rod Blagojevich opposing the governor's proposal to use $15 million for embryonic stem cell research. Currently, $10 million is set aside for that purpose.

Blagojevich has proposed using at least $100 million over five years from state tobacco settlement funds for stem cell research grants.

"It is wrong to exploit human life for research purposes," said state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin, who is running for lieutenant governor. "To purposefully create human life to exploit it is just wrong."

However, Blagojevich and Comptroller Dan Hynes have been strong advocates for stem cell research. Last year, they led a push to start the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute, which is run by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

"Stem cell research has the ability to save lives," said Rebecca Rausch, Blagojevich spokeswoman. "In the long run, we feel like everyone will benefit from this research in one way or another."

Republicans complained that Blagojevich and Democratic leaders secretly inserted the $10 million into last year's budget. In addition to the 27 Republicans, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said support from across the aisle would effectively defeat legislation regarding stem cell research.

"I don't believe those six Democratic senators would have voted for the budget last year, had they known the governor had deceived them, slipping $10 million into it, that would be used against their beliefs," said Brady, a candidate for governor. The Republicans would need support from at least three Democrats to defeat any legislation on the issue.

Scientists are interested in stem cells to potentially provide cures to Parkinson's disease and diabetes and other injuries and ailments. Stem cells can be harvested from several sources, such as umbilical cord blood and unused eggs from fertility treatments.

Brady said GOP senators could support a plan that would have the government fund research into adult stem cells, rather than embryonic stem cells.

And, they would like the governor to take his proposal out of the overall budget in order to allow lawmakers to consider the issue on a separate vote.

Rausch said the plan is for the legislators to consider the issue separately.

"The governor and Comptroller Hynes believe very strongly in this research and certainly would like to see members of the General Assembly vote to continue what we're starting this year," she said. "This really shouldn't be about Republicans or Democrats and it shouldn't be about politics. It's about medical research that has the potential to save lives."

Chris Lusvardi can be reached at chris.lusvardi@;lee.net or 789-0865.