(Circulation. 2001;104:e9015.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation Newswriter
Bush Stem Cell Decision Limits Research to Existing Cell Lines
In a compromise that pleased very few, President George W. Bush said he would limit research on embryonic stem cells to existing cell lines owned by private companies and institutions that funded the work with private money. In his first major speech to the nation on August 9, 2001, the President said, "While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means."
Yet, he continued, "Embryonic stem cell research offers both great promise and great peril, so I have decided we must proceed with great care. As a result of private research, more than 60 genetically diverse stem cell lines already exist. They were created from embryos that have already been destroyed, and they have the ability to regenerate themselves definitely, creating ongoing opportunities for research. 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. . .This allows us to explore the promise and potential of stem cell research without crossing a fundamental moral line by providing taxpayer funding that would sanction or encourage further destruction of human embryos that have at least the potential for life."
Bush’s contention that 60 viable human embryonic stem cell lines exist raised eyebrows in the research community, as did the limits on