Bush to Allow Federal Funding of Research on Existing Embryonic Stem Cells; No Funds to Go Toward ‘Destruction of New Embryos’

President Bush last night confronted the "most politically charged issue facing his administration," deciding to allow federal funding for experiments involving stem cells already derived from embryos but not for research that would cause the destruction of further embryos, the Los Angeles Times reports. In announcing the decision during his first prime-time address as president, Bush said, "This allows us to explore the promise and potential of stem cell research without crossing a fundamental moral line by providing taxpayer funding that would sanction or encourage further destruction of human embryos." Last year, NIH announced that it would accept applications for stem cell projects that involved cells from taken frozen embryos developed in fertility treatments that were no longer needed. But shortly after taking office, Bush put that plan on hold and began his review of the policy (Zitner/Chen, Los Angeles Times, 8/10). During last night's address, Bush said, "While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means" (Henry, Houston Chronicle, 8/10). Bush said of the existing 60 cell lines drawn from embryos, "Leading scientists tell me research on these 60 lines has great promise that can lead to breakthrough therapies and cures." The "life-and-death decision" has already been made to destroy those embryos, Bush noted (Los Angeles Times, 8/10). He continued: "I have made this decision with great care and I pray it is the right one" ( AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/10).

The Impact
The Washington Post reports that Bush's decision is "essentially the most restrictive use of federal money the administration could have permitted short of a ban" (Goldstein/Allen, Washington Post, 8/10). The decision does not affect private sector embryonic stem cell research (Seelye, New York Times, 8/10). As part of his decision, Bush also will appoint a presidential-level council, to be headed by University of Chicago ethicist Leon Kass, that will monitor stem cell research developments. In addition, Bush called for "aggressive funding" of research on stem cells derived from adults, umbilical cords and other sources. The government will spent $250 million this year on such research, Bush said (Wall Street Journal, 8/10). The financial effect Bush's statement will have on embryonic stem cell research is "unclear," the New York Times reports (New York Times, 8/10). Bush also restated his opposition to human cloning last night (Wall Street Journal, 8/10).

Coming to a Decision
During his televised address, Bush described how he had "carefully weighed the promise of the research with the fear that destroying embryos demeaned human life," the Los Angeles Times reports. He heard or solicited opinions from bioethicists, NIH scientists, Pope John Paul II, former first lady Nancy Reagan and HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson (Los Angeles Times, 8/10). The White House has taken "pains" to describe the path to the decision as a "highly personal struggle" for Bush, one that was "unaffected by political considerations" (Hosler, Baltimore Sun, 8/10). Bush's delay in making a decision "only fueled ... lobbying" by parties on both sides of the debate, the Los Angeles Times reports (Chen, Los Angeles Times, 8/10). Bush often "agonized in public" over the issue, asking people at social gatherings for their opinions. He also "read everything that landed on his desk on the topic" and "prayed," USA Today reports. But Bush's decision "was shaped more than anyone else" by Kass, an opponent of human cloning who, like Bush, believes that embryonic stem cell research "needs rigid controls," USA Today says. Bush met with Kass during a July 10 meeting at the White House (Keen, USA Today, 8/10). The compromise decision also reflects a plan "first floated on July 18 by a close ally, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)" (Thomma/Root, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/10). The AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Bush "grew tired of reporters asking about his decision" and chose to announce the decision yesterday rather than next week as previously was expected (AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/10). Bush reportedly came to the decision Wednesday while taking a working vacation on his Texas ranch (Reuters/Washington Times, 8/10).

Prime Time Speech
The strategy to disclose the decision in a prime-time speech "reflects the immense political stakes" of the issue, the Washington Post reports (Washington Post, 8/10). Bush surprised some analysts by delivering the address from his Texas ranch. But White House spokesperson Scott McClellan said, "The American people are discussing this issue at their dinner tables. This is a decision they're discussing in the heartland. And the president believes there is no more appropriate place to do this than at his ranch, where he is in the heartland" (Hillman, Dallas Morning News, 8/10).

Reaction
Bush's speech "did little to settle the disagreement over embryonic stem cell research," the Boston Globe reports (Schlesinger, Boston Globe, 8/10). Some researchers expressed frustration that the "limits could hamper advances," but others said "they were relieved to get any funding" (Manier, Chicago Tribune, 8/10). Dr. Evan Snyder, a stem cell researcher at Boston-based Children's Hospital, called the decision "scientifically naive" (Los Angeles Times, 8/10). Before Bush announced the decision, HHS Secretary Thompson, who favors embryonic stem cell research, said, "I am fairly comfortable with the decision that the president is going to make, and I'm very confident that the American people will be as well" (Sammon, Washington Times, 8/10). Even though the decision was a "retreat" from statements Bush made while on the campaign trail, the early reaction from some conservative leaders "was largely favorable," the Dallas Morning News reports. "What the president has done is the morally right thing. He has not advocated taking any human life," Rev. Jerry Falwell said (Jeffers, Dallas Morning News, 8/10). Some Democrats, however, criticized the decision, saying it did not "go far enough to exploit the potential of stem cell research." House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) said, "Once again, the president has done the bare minimum in order to try and publicly posture himself with the majority of Americans" (Hook/Brownstein, Los Angeles Times, 8/10). In a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll of 581 people taken after Bush's speech last night, 50% supported Bush's decision, 25% disapproved of it and 25% had no opinion. The poll has a +/- 3% margin of error (USA Today, 8/10). A full transcript of Bush's speech is available online. Additional coverage on Bush's stem cell announcement is available in today's Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report.