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>Sender: [log in to unmask] >Reply-To: [log in to unmask] >From: [log in to unmask] >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: NYTimes.com Article: Bush Won't Fund Stem Cell Research >Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 21:05:00 -0500 (EST) > >This article from NYTimes.com > >/-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ > > > >\----------------------------------------------------------/ > >Bush Won't Fund Stem Cell Research >http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Bush-Abortion.html > >January 26, 2001 > >By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS > > > >Filed at 6:20 p.m. ET > >WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Friday that federal money >should not be used for research on fetal tissue or on so-called >stem cells derived from abortions, the week-old administration's >third statement on the divisive abortion issue. > >``I do not support research from aborted fetuses,'' Bush said. > >He >did not say whether he would move to block federal research funding >-- an act that many scientists say could stop promising research >into therapies for numerous diseases. Aides said afterward he was >signaling his intent to do so. > >Bush had indicated his opposition to such research during the >presidential campaign, but the remarks Friday were his first on the >topic since taking over the White House a week ago. > >``I will let you know when I decide all policy decisions, but the >answer to your question is no,'' Bush said when asked whether he >believes federal money should be spent on fetal-tissue and >stem-cell research from abortions. > >After a presidential campaign in which anti-abortion conservatives >were a cornerstone of his support, Bush moved on Monday, two days >into his presidency, to restore restrictions on U.S. foreign aid to >family-planning organizations involved in abortion. His >administration also promised a review of the government's approval >of the RU-486 abortion pill. > >Scientists say research with stem cells, master cells that are the >building blocks for all other tissue in the body, could lead to >revolutionary treatments for problems from Alzheimer's to >paralyzing spinal cord injuries. > >Stem cells can come from aborted fetuses or from embryos left over >from fertility clinics. A few also can be found from adult tissues, >but scientists say fetal and embryonic stem cells are the most >flexible and thus most usable. > >Bush did not specifically address embryonic stem cells. > >Some >conservative groups oppose using embryonic stem cells for research >because culling them kills the embryos. Scientists now know how to >multiply embryonic stem cells in laboratories without killing >additional embryos. Unless Bush intervenes, the National Institutes >of Health plans to begin funding research with just those lab-grown >embryonic stem cells as early as this spring. > >Some researchers are concerned that Bush might cut off existing >funding for a larger type of research related to tissues from >induced abortions. Some Parkinson's disease patients, for instance, >improved after receiving fetal tissue transplants in their brains. > >Bush has said in the past he supports an alternative method using >fetal tissues retrieved from miscarriages. But scientists say such >tissue is seldom usable because of genetic abnormalities in the >fetus that caused the miscarriage. > >``I believe there's some wonderful opportunities for adult >stem-cell research,'' Bush said. ``I believe we can find stem cells >from fetuses that died a natural death, but I do not support >research from aborted fetuses.'' > >He commented in a question-and-answer session during a meeting with >Democratic and Republican governors. > >Shortly before Bush took office, his spokesman refused to address >whether the new Republican administration would shut down >government research on the stem cells of discarded human embryos. > >Press secretary Ari Fleischer, quoting his boss' statements during >the campaign, said Friday that Bush ``would oppose federally funded >research for experimentation on embryonic stem cells that require >live human embryos to be discarded or destroyed.'' > >But Fleischer, questioned by reporters, would not say whether Bush >intends to block the NIH, which is now accepting grant applications >for research on lab-grown embryonic stem cells initially harvested >by private researchers. > >Bush stopped short Friday of saying whether or how he might block >the NIH funding. > >Incoming Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has >likewise sidestepped the issue. But as an anti-abortion governor of >Wisconsin, Thompson praised as medical pioneers the University of >Wisconsin scientists who first grew embryonic stem cells in their >laboratory. > >The White House is reviewing all rules and executive orders >implemented by the Clinton administration, including those on >abortion-related research. > >^------ > >On the Net: > >NIH stem cell primer: >http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/primer.htm > >National Library of Medicine site with information and current news >on stem cell research: >http://medlineplus.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stemcellsstemcelltranspla ntation. > >html > >The New York Times on the Web >http://www.nytimes.com > >/-----------------------------------------------------------------\ > > >Visit NYTimes.com for complete access to the >most authoritative news coverage on the Web, >updated throughout the day. > >Become a member today! It's free! > >http://www.nytimes.com?eta > > >\-----------------------------------------------------------------/ > >HOW TO ADVERTISE >--------------------------------- >For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters >or other creative advertising opportunities with The >New York Times on the Web, please contact Alyson >Racer at [log in to unmask] or visit our online media >kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo > >For general information about NYTimes.com, write to >[log in to unmask] > >Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company >