WASHINGTON, DC, Aug 10, 01 (CWNews.com) - Reaction to US President George W. Bush's announcement of limits on embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) on Thursday has been mixed and even groups that are normally on the same side of pro-life issues taking contrary views of the speech. Bush had ordered that taxpayer funding be withheld for research using embryonic stem cells except for those cells derived from 60 embryos which had already been killed.
Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, president of the US bishops' conference, called Bush's decision "morally unacceptable." He added, "The federal government, for the first time in history, will support research that relies on the destruction of some defenseless human beings for the possible benefit to others. It allows our nation's research enterprise to cultivate a disrespect for human life."
However, Bush's own denomination, the United Methodist Church, which allows abortion but had urged him to uphold the ban on federal funding, said it was satisfied the president had thoroughly considered all the ethical issues involved.
Other mainline and Evangelical groups also applauded the decision, but with reservations. Ken Connor, president of the Family Research Council, said he commended Bush for ruling out funding for ESCR that involves the killing of embryos, but said the use of the 60 existing cell lines was "troubling." He added, "It is a basic moral principle that one cannot benefit by the wrongdoing of others. In law, this doctrine is known as the fruit of the poisonous tree."
Proponents of ESCR were also mixed in their response. Some researchers said limiting research to the 60 lines would slow down the work to find cures and treatments, while others expressed surprise that Bush noted there were as many as 60 lines. Most scientists said they knew of only a dozen or fewer lines that would meet strict National Institutes of Health guidelines.
Carl B. Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which represents more than 1,000 research groups, said Bush's limitation on stem cell lines "may place roadblocks to medical progress" and "may cost years, even lives" by delaying potential treatment for many diseases.
Some pro-abortion groups also criticized the decision. Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, said: "The president tonight offered a weak and limited compromise on stem-cell research. In an attempt to politically straddle the issue, the president has pleased no one. Americans must now turn to Congress for the support needed to continue this vital research." She was referring to a promise by some in Congress prior to Bush's speech that, if he banned the research, they would propose legislation to overturn that ban.
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, echoed that idea, saying that under the president's ethical guidelines, embryos in long-term storage that will be thrown away anyway should be dismantled for their stem cells. He said, "I intend to press for an early Senate vote on my bill to allow federal funding to extract stem cells from embryos destined for destruction."
CWN - Catholic World News
10. august 2001