According to this Washington Times column President Bush would sign a bill that would allow federal funding on embryonic stem cell research on embryos that have no chance of surviving.

The legislation, authored by Sen. Johnny Isakson, Georgia Republican, seeks a middle ground in the highly charged debate over stem-cell research. His bill skirts moral concerns over using embryonic stem cells while ensuring federal funding for the breakthrough science.

Mr. Isakson’s bill would allow scientists to conduct research on embryos they determine are incapable of surviving in the womb but whose stem cells are still viable for research. The bill would also allow funding for research on stem cells from embryos that have died during fertility treatments.

“This legislation threads the ethical needle,” Mr. Isakson said yesterday. “I’m very optimistic it will be looked on favorably, especially with the White House’s endorsement.”

White House officials have met with Mr. Isakson to discuss his bill several times since January.

“We are very supportive” of the legislation, said Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman. “By intensifying support for non-destructive alternatives, we can advance medical research in valuable ways while respecting ethical boundaries.”

This is the first I’ve heard of this and I don’t have an opinion on it yet. I do have some ethical questions of my own, but just because it would be supported by this president and is a piece of proposed legislation written by a Republican doesn’t mean I embrace it.

If embryonic stem cell research were so promising I just wonder why the private companies that are doing stem cell research have not done embryonic stem cell research. Nothing has held the private sector back—it’s only been federal funding that has been held back, so if there were as much promise as some hope why aren’t the big companies working on it? After all, if they could succeed they would make a fortune in their success.

Written by ~J~

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