He did not say whether he would move to block federal research funding. 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. 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. Yet pro-life advocates oppose taking such cells from unborn children or from those killed by abortion and they point out that many alternative methods of getting the cells are available to researchers.
Recent studies suggest that adult stem cells have great therapeutic potential.
Bush did not specifically address embryonic stem cells. We're against the research establishment having to collaborate with the abortion industry. Unless Bush intervenes, the National Institutes of Health plans to begin funding research with lab-grown embryonic stem cells as early as this spring. Bush might cut off existing funding for a larger type of research related to tissues from induced abortions. Bush has said in the past he supports an alternative method using fetal tissues retrieved from miscarriages.