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Washington Post Newsweek Interactive Administration Seeks Compromise on Stem Cell Research By Charles Babington washingtonpost.com staff writer Monday, June 11, 2001; 3:18 PM The Bush administration is seeking a way to allow embryo cell research to continue "with some moderations" in hopes of appeasing activists on both sides of the divisive medical research issue, Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said today. At a luncheon with Washington Post reporters and editors, Thompson said the administration will announce its decision late this month or early July. "We're looking at the legal implications of it, the ethical questions and of course the political questions and the scientific ones," he said. President Bush is weighing whether to allow federal funding for research into stem cells derived from human embryos. The embryos in question are left over from in vitro fertilization treatments for infertile couples. Advocates note that such embryos are destined to be destroyed anyway, and current guidelines prohibit embryos from being created for research. Studies indicate that human embryonic cell research might lead to cures for ailments including diabetes, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's. But some groups, including anti-abortion activists and the Catholic Church, oppose the research on ethical grounds. Some contend that adult tissues might prove an adequate source of stem cells, which can develop into various types of tissues. Thus far, however, embryonic cells have shown the greatest promise. Thompson, a former Wisconsin governor, has expressed interest in the medical possibilities of embryonic stem-cell research. But he acknowledged that some White House officials oppose it. "I'm passionate about research," Thompson said. "I'm very concerned on this subject, and I think there is an answer there that we are all working on that is going to allow research to continue with some moderations, but one that will be hopefully satisfactory to the various views that are very polarized at this point. The president is very cognizant of this subject, and he wants more information, and we're giving him that information. He is looking to find a way that will be unifying rather than divisive." Asked about possible compromise approaches, Thompson said: "Everything is on the table." Bush, he said, "may just say that the Department of Health and Human Services should make the decision. And if he does, I'm ready to make it." "There's a lot of real, tremendous successes that can be had with stem cell research," the secretary said. "We have to decide, first of all, whether the law allows any kind of federal dollars to go into stem cells that are derived from an embryo. That's a big question because the law is fairly specific. Second thing, there are some ethical questions, and some scientific questions. I am fairly confident that we will come up with a plan that takes all of these matters into consideration.'' http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52252-2001Jun11.html ********* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn