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Bush's Decision on Stem Cells Divides Conservatives NewsMax.com WiresWASHINGTON - Conservative political and religious groups are eyeing President Bush's decision to allow limited stem cell research with caution. Some believe that it protects the life of unborn children, and others say it opens the door to expanded federal funding later. "This is the beginning of the debate, not the end," said Gary Bauer, president of American Values, a nonprofit pro-family group in Virginia. "I am gratified that he didn't go further towards subsidizing this research." In what he called a "complex and difficult issue," the president in a nationally televised address said he would permit the federal funding of research using more than 60 stem cell lines that have already been developed, but would not sanction or encourage the destruction of additional human embryos. "I have concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for research on these existing stem-cell lines, where a life-and-death decision has already been made," Bush said. He said he would appoint a council to monitor stem cell research composed of leading scientists, bioethecists, lawyers, theologians and others who would oversee developments in research. Pro-life and religious groups had fiercely opposed the creation of new embryos and use of embryos specifically for research on the grounds that it destroyed human life. During his presidential campaign Bush vowed to oppose funding for stem cell research as advisers warned that he could lose the confidence of religious conservatives whose support propelled him into the White House. Bauer, who served as domestic policy adviser to President Ronald Reagan, said that Bush would likely gain support temporarily in the polls, but that down the road such support would erode. He said scientists would likely criticize Bush for not going far enough by allowing the creation of embryos. Family Research Council President Kenneth Connor commended Bush for drawing a clear line against future funding that involves the killing of human embryos. "The president reaffirmed the fundamental moral principle that life is the sacred gift of the Creator and deserves protection at its very beginning," Connor said. Olivia Gans, spokeswoman for National Right to Life Committee, said the organization was "quite delighted" that Bush prevented further killing of embryos for experimentation. "We mourn the deaths of children killed to provide the existing stem cell lines," Gans said. "But this protects the embryonic children at risk." National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., banned studies using stem cells from aborted fetuses or human embryos in January 1999. The Clinton administration said last August that stem cells from frozen embryos slated for destruction at fertility clinics could be used for research. Bush moved to block the research when he came into office by ordering a policy review of the Clinton administration NIH guidelines. The White House called off an August NIH meeting to review applications for federal grants for stem cell research, effectively leaving the matter in limbo until Bush's final decision. Copyright 2001 by United Press International. All rights reserved.
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