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To: Selectric II who wrote (40133)	8/9/2001 7:25:52 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 65232

An Update on Bush's Announcement Tonight August 9, 2001 Posted: 2:50 PM EDT (1850 GMT) CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) -- In a nationally televised address Thursday night, President Bush is expected to announce his decision on whether to allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, an issue that has divided conservatives and pitted the scientific community against some religious leaders. "This is an issue that many people, many Americans find the more they learn about it, the more complex it is," said Scott McClellan, deputy White House press secretary. "Stem cell research in many ways is the leading edge of the new frontier of science, and, as we explore the science, we need to make sure that we do so in a way that adheres to the highest ethical standards." He said the president had consulted "dozens" of experts about the issue. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson said the president will make a "reasoned opinion and decision" and described himself as "very proud" of the way Bush had "handled himself throughout this whole debate." "I know that the president has spent a great deal of time talking to experts and just plain individual citizens about this subject. And he has spent more time on this subject than probably anybody can really imagine because he was very concerned about it," Thompson told CNN. Several aides described the decision as one of the most important of Bush's presidency. White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said the president will balance science and technology against "the huge moral implications and ethical challenges" raised by embryonic stem cell research. Bush is scheduled to address the nation at 9 p.m. EDT from the "Governor's House," the old ranch house on his property in Crawford, where he is on a month-long working vacation. Some senior advisers who did not know what the president decided told CNN they hoped he would endorse federal funding. Others expected the president's decision to look very much like a proposal forwarded by Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, a nationally known heart-and-lung transplant surgeon and key Bush health care ally in the Senate. Last month, Frist endorsed federal funding for limited embryonic stem cell research. Frist's proposal would ban the creation of embryos for research purposes and limit research to stem cells derived from fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded. Other limits would include a federal ban on cloning and written consent from the couples who provided the embryos that they could be used for stem cell research. Frist also endorsed an increase in federal support for adult stem cell research, a companion branch of research that may also provides cures to serious diseases. Senior aides said decision has been kept "in the family," a reference to the tight circle of advisers that include the first lady, Karen Hughes, counselor to the president, and senior political adviser Karl Rove. As of midday Thursday, other senior aides commonly consulted on policy and communications were unaware of what Bush had decided. Fewer than 10 people know the decision, aides said. The president has said his decision is "way beyond politics," but it will have political ramifications. If he decides to back research on stem cells from human embryos, opponents of the research, including Catholics and many anti-abortion rights supporters, will charge he is breaking a campaign promise. If he backs the research, moderates will be pleased. Thompson said "he's been very concerned about the ethical issues and of course the scientific breakthroughs that might happen. So it's been very controversial. But the president has been very straightforward. "He wants information. He wants to as much as he can absolutely have on the subject and he's been doing his own research himself in regards to the ethical questions and the scientific questions by talking to individuals who are very learned in these positions." Speaking in Washington, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, indicated that Bush would have a political fight on his hands if he did not support federal funding. Daschle said legislation to accomplish just that would be considered this fall if the president opposes the funding. "To support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is to come down on the side of hope for the millions of Americans suffering from diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to cancer to Parkinson's to diabetes," Daschle said. -- CNN Correspondents Major Garrett and John King contributed to this report. ______________________________ BTW, Selectric I agree with you that this is a very complex issue that Bush is deciding on...I am glad he has taken some time and been thoughtful. Its interesting that some VERY conservative members of Bush's party (like Senator Strom Thermond and Senator Orin Hatch) are very much in favor of embryonic stem cell research. The only doctor in the Senate -- the highly regarded Republican from Tennessee (Senator Bill Frist) is also in favor of the Federal Government supporting stem cell research --> but in a targeted and regulated way. I tend to agree with him. Everyone knows someone with Alzheimers, Parkinsons, or Cancer -- and we all would like them to receive new highly effective treatments. My Uncle who does some amazing Asthma research at UCSF in San Francisco tells me that a large global stem cell research campaign might yield some incredible therapeutic breakthroughs. I also realize that there are MANY different viewpoints on this issue...Federal Funding for any type of research is controversial. It will be interesting to see how our President chooses to handle this decision. Best Regards, Scott

To: Selectric II who wrote (40133)	8/9/2001 7:40:40 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 65232

Networks: Bush to Back Limited Stem-Cell Research Thursday August 9 6:48 PM ET By Steve Holland CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - In a defining moment of his tenure, President Bush (news - web sites) will announce on Thursday whether to allow federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, taking a stand on the politically volatile issue after months of soul-searching. Television networks quoting sources close to the decision said the president had decided to support some federal funding on limited embryonic stem-cell research but exact details were not known. The debate pits those who believe stem-cell research can lead to medical advances in a variety of illnesses against those opposed to any research that destroys human embryos. From his Texas ranch, Bush will lay out his decision and the reasons for it in a nationally televised speech of eight to 10 minutes beginning at 9 p.m. EDT. It will be his first such prime-time address and he was giving it from the one-story, simple house that he used before moving into a new ranch house. Bush is bound to anger one side or the other whatever he announces and there have been indications that he was trying to find a compromise that would allow federal funding for some research. That would be a reversal of a campaign position from last year. The announcement could be politically perilous because if he allows some funding, it could alienate Catholics and core conservative supporters like the Christian right who were crucial to his narrow election last year, and if he does not, he could lose moderate voters. After months of deliberations and hearing from dozens of people from bioethicists to lawmakers to Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II, Bush reached the decision on Wednesday. CLOSELY GUARDED SECRET It was a closely guarded secret and only a small handful of aides knew what it was. One possible compromise was outlined last month by a close Bush ally, Tennessee Republican Sen. Bill Frist (news - bio - voting record), a physician. He said both embryonic stem-cell research as well as research with adult stem cells should be federally funded with a carefully regulated framework in which embryo donors would have to give written permission. Frist opposed the creation of human embryos solely for the purpose of harvesting stem cells, and opposed cloning embryos for medical research -- positions Bush seemed likely to embrace. On Thursday, Bush got ready for his first evening prime-time address by practicing his remarks, taking a run around his property and working on a nature trail. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush had carefully considered ``all the scientific and ethical issues involved'' and that political implications did not enter into his decision. ``This is a decision that will have far-reaching implications for our nation 20 to 30 years from now and beyond,'' he said. GREAT POTENTIAL Stem cells are primitive cells which have the ability to transform themselves into many other types of cells. They offer the potential of regenerating damaged organs or tissue. Many scientists believe stem cells can be used in treating brain maladies like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and spinal injuries. Many religious and social conservatives who believe life begins at conception oppose the idea because stem cells are typically derived from leftover human embryos that are created at fertility treatment centers and are slated for destruction. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota said on Thursday if Bush did not authorize federal funding for stem cell research, he would push legislation in Congress to do so. Speaking to reporters in Washington, he said, ``If the president comes out with another decision short of the one we hope he will make, it is my expectation that we will schedule legislation sometime this fall.'' He said it has wide bipartisan support in the Senate. Shares of companies involved in stem cell research soared on Thursday amid optimism Bush will allow federal funding for at least some aspects of the research. Experts believe permitting the federal funding would widen the number of scientists involved and accelerate the search for cures to diseases once thought untreatable. Leading scientists and research advocates predicted a ban on government money for embryonic stem cell work would boost research into so-called adult stem cells -- cells found in the bodies of children and adults that have begun to show some of the same potential as embryonic cells. Bush is a Methodist who opposes abortion. During last year's presidential campaign and as recently as last May Bush asserted his strong opposition to research ``that involves destroying living human embryos.'' Pope John Paul II, whom Bush met last month in Italy, has cautioned the president against the creation and destruction of human embryos for research, as have conservative Protestants who are also staunch abortion foes. A recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll said 55 percent of Americans supported spending federal money for the research. Bush aides have refused to say which way Bush is leaning on the subject. His wife Laura noted recently ``a lot of those embryos will be destroyed anyway or disposed of anyway'' while adding ``there's certainly a life side of it as well.''

To: Selectric II who wrote (40133)	8/9/2001 8:51:39 PM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 65232

Bush to back controversial research... abcnews.go.com Best Regards, Scott

To: Selectric II who wrote (40133)	8/9/2001 10:02:01 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 65232

Bush Will Permit Limited Stem-Cell Research Thursday August 9 9:57 PM ET By Steve Holland CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) announced on Thursday he will allow federally funded research on embryonic stem cells on a limited basis in a compromise decision that ended months of sometimes agonizing soul searching. ``I have made this decision with great care, and I pray it's the right one,'' Bush said as he kicked off a fresh debate on how to handle the politically divisive issue. First reaction seemed generally positive, although those on both sides of the issue expressed some reservations. In his first nationally televised address, Bush sought a middle ground between those who believe stem-cell research can lead to medical advances in a variety of illnesses against those opposed to any research that destroys human embryos. He said he would allow federal funds to be spent only on the existing 60-or-so stem cell lines whose embryos have already been destroyed, meaning there is no chance of life emerging from them. Stem cells are primitive cells which have the ability to transform themselves into many other types of cells. They offer the potential of regenerating damaged organs or tissue. ``I have concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for research on these existing stem cell lines where the life and death decision has already been made,'' Bush said from his Prairie Chapel ranch where he is on a month-long vacation. The White House said federal funds will only be used on research on existing stem cell lines that were derived with the informed consent of the donors and from excess embryos created solely for reproductive purposes, and without any financial inducements to the donors. ``Embryonic stem cell research offers both great promise and great peril, so I have decided we must proceed with great care, Bush said. SOME WANTED Bush did not allow what many scientists wanted, approval to harvest stem cells from some of the 100,000 embryos frozen in laboratories across the United States. But religious conservatives have argued that such a compromise would still mean profiting from the killing of human embryos, leading to a ``culture of death.'' In that sense Bush's decision could alienate some Catholics and core conservative supporters on the Christian right who were crucial to his narrow election victory last year. Bush said $250 million in federal funds in the coming year would be spent to research placenta, animal and adult stem cells. Adult cells are those harvested from the bone marrow of children and adults that some scientists say do not offer as much promise as the embryonic stem cells. The White House said no federal funds would be allowed for use of stem cells from newly destroyed embryos, the creation of any human embryos for research purposes or the cloning of any embryos for any purpose. Bush said he will create a new President's Council on Bioethics, chaired by Dr. Leon Kass, a biomedical ethics expert from the University of Chicago, to study the human and moral ramifications. In what amounted to a defining moment for Bush's six-month presidency, Bush returned time and again during his 10-minute speech to the moral and scientific implications of allowing research into embryonic stem cells. RECALLS HUXLEY BOOK ``As the genius of science extends the horizons of what we can do, we increasingly confront complex questions about what we should do. We have arrived at that 'brave new world' that seemed so distant in 1932, when Aldous Huxley wrote about human beings created in test tubes in what he called a hatchery,'' Bush said. Bush deliberated for months on the issue and heard from dozens of people from bioethicists to lawmakers to Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II. He finally reached his decision on Wednesday, and it was a closely guarded secret until Thursday afternoon. Many scientists believe stem cells can be used in treating brain maladies like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and spinal injuries. Many religious and social conservatives who believe life begins at conception oppose the idea because stem cells are typically derived from leftover human embryos that are created at fertility treatment centers and are slated for destruction. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota said on Thursday if Bush did not authorize federal funding for stem cell research, he would push legislation in Congress to do so. Speaking to reporters in Washington, he said, ``If the president comes out with another decision short of the one we hope he will make, it is my expectation that we will schedule legislation sometime this fall.'' He said it has wide bipartisan support in the Senate. Shares of companies involved in stem cell research soared on Thursday amid optimism Bush will allow federal funding for at least some aspects of the research. Experts believe permitting the federal funding would widen the number of scientists involved and accelerate the search for cures to diseases once thought untreatable. Bush is a Methodist who opposes abortion. During last year's presidential campaign and as recently as last May Bush asserted his strong opposition to research ``that involves destroying living human embryos.'' A recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll said 55 percent of Americans supported spending federal money for the research.