Subject: Bush: No Additional Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Source: AP, Retuers, CNN, Pro-Life Infonet; August 9, 2001

Bush: No Additional Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Crawford, TX -- President Bush avoided a tempting compromise decision to
allow extensive taxpayer funding of life-dstroying embryonic stem cell
research. Bush announced that federal funding will only go towards stem
cells that have been previously obtained -- something no government
decision could undo. However, he would not extend federal funds for new,
additional embryonic stem cell research.

"I have concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for
research on these existing stem cell lines where the life and death
decision has already been made," President Bush explained.

Bush also announced his administration will continue to support and
promote research using adult stem cells as an effective and life-affirming
alternative.

"You should also know that stem cells can be derived from sources other
than embryos: from adult cells, from umbilical cords that are discarded
after babies are born, from human placentas. And many scientists feel
research on these types of stem cells is also promising. Many patients
suffering from a range of diseases are already being helped with
treatments developed from adult stem cells,"the President said.

Bush continued: "I also believe that great scientific progress can be
made through aggressive federal funding of research on umbilical cord,
placenta, adult and animal stem cells, which do not involve the same moral
dilemma. This year your government will spent $250 million on this
important research."

In addition, Bush said he would create a presidential commission to
further study the issue and make additional suggestions. Dr. Leon Kass, a
widely respected pro-life ethicist, will head the group.

"I will also name a president's council to monitor stem-cell research, to
recommend appropriate guidelines and regulations and to consider all of
the medical and ethical ramifications of biomedical innovation. This
council will consist of leading scientists, doctors, ethicists, lawyers,
theologians and others, and will be chaired by Dr. Leon Cass, a leading
biomedical ethicist from the University of Chicago," Bush explained.

Bush counselor Karen Hughes said the council should be formed quickly.

Pro-life reaction has been mixed thus far.

``The trade-off he has announced is morally unacceptable,'' said Bishop
Joseph A. Fiorenza, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
``It allows our nation's research enterprise to cultivate a disrespect for
humasn life.''

However, Jerry Falwell, a pro-family leader, said he was never prouder of
President Bush and said no one in the pro-life community should be upset
at President Bush's decision.

Reaction from proponents of embryonic stem cell research has also been
mixed.

While actors Christopher Reeve and Mary Tyler Moore guardedly applauded
the President, pro-abortion Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) said ``it doesn't go
far enough to fulfull the life-saving potential of this promising new
medical research.''

The White House said federal funds will only be used on research on
existing stem cell lines that were derived with the informed consent of
the donors and from excess embryos created solely for reproductive
purposes, and without any financial inducements to the donors.

"I have concluded federal funds should be used for these existing stem
cell lines where the life and death decision has already been made," Bush
said in a national television speech from his Texas ranch. "I have made
this decision with great care, and I pray it's the right one."

The decision would forbid federal funding for research on tens of
thousands of discarded embryos used for fertility treatments.

Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle (D-SD) threatned to move forward with
a bill that would allow full funding for embryonic stem cell research and
overturn Bush's decision.

"There will be concern about the limits the president has proposed on this
research, specifically that the existent stem cell lines could be
inadequate to realize its potential lifesaving benefits ... the Senate
will want to take action," Daschle said.

In a private phone conferene after President Bush's speech, Anne Phelps,
Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, offered further
explanation.

Phelps explained that Bush's decision will not allow any funding to
destroy human embryos and federal funds will only go to the 60 stem cells
lines already available.

Some scientsts have claimed that fewer lines are available and more
embryonic stem cell research is neded. Phelps disputed their claim saying
that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirms there are more than
enough embryonic stem cells available that scientists have already
obtained to do all the research scientists want to do and no further
embryonic stem cell research is necessary.

NIH will make a complete registry of lines already available and that task
will be completed sometime early next year.