The Bush Decision

By Mitch Frank

WHAT HE SAID

--Existing Stem-Cell Lines

Bush will allow funding for research on stem cells already extracted from embryos. But his position has raised questions.

WHAT ARE THEY? A line is created by extracting cells from an embryo only a few days old; this destroys the embryo. Under the right conditions, cells will replicate, creating genetically identical cells.

65 THE NUMBER? Until last week, most scientists knew of only a dozen cell lines. National Institutes of Health experts now say they have tracked down at least 65 cell lines worldwide. All were created from leftover in-vitro fertilization embryos. But scientists question how many are viable--and who owns the patents.

$250,000,000

--Federal Funding

In his address, Bush cited the tax dollars spent this year on researching stem cells from adults, umbilical cords and animal embryos. But Bush hasn't announced how much money he will ask Congress to allocate for embryonic stem-cell research in next year's budget. Will embryonic research be on an equal footing with less controversial science?

--The Council

Bush will appoint doctors, lawyers and ethicists to a panel on bioethics to advise him on stem cells, cloning and other ethical quagmires of the brave new world. Dr. Leon Kass, who helped Bush make this decision, will lead the council.

THE FALLOUT

"It's going to delay the progress we need to bring these therapies to the bedside." --DR. JOHN GEARHART

--The Scientists

The most skeptical reaction to Bush's decision came from biologists. They agree some funding is better than none but question the existence of 65 viable cell lines. They fear that 65 won't be enough to develop therapies effectively. And who will control those lines?

--Conservatives

Opponents, from Evangelicals to the Pope, pushed for a total funding ban. Many were relieved that Bush did not go further--though several accused him of breaking, or at least bending, his campaign promise.

--Patient Advocates

Activists like Michael J. Fox and Christopher Reeve had mixed reactions. Some were cautiously optimistic. Others will ask Congress for funding with fewer restrictions.

--Capitol Hill

Party affiliation helped shape lawmakers' reactions. Republicans on both sides of the issue expressed mild disappointment but are sticking by their guy. Some Democrats are asking for a vote to sweep aside Bush's narrow compromise.

THE RESEARCH EFFECT

FULLY FUNDED

Adult Stem Cells

Opponents of embryonic stem-cell research argue that more money should be spent researching adult stem cells. Hidden within bone marrow and organs, these stem cells replace old cells in the body. Scientists have isolated and replicated some, but adult stem cells are not capable of developing into any other cell type.

--THE EFFECT Embryonic-cell research could take cash from work on adult cells. Could be conservatives' next battle.

--WHAT'S NEXT? A fight in Congress over which research gets the money.

Umbilical Cord

Biologists have also found stem cells in umbilical-cord blood. These cells have proved useful in combatting blood disorders, including leukemia. Some firms even offer to freeze and store this blood in case children later develop a treatable illness. But doctors question such practices and argue that more research is needed.

--THE EFFECT Like adult-stem-cell research, work on umbilical blood cells will compete for dollars with embryonic cells.

--WHAT'S NEXT? A fight in Congress over which research gets the money.

RESTRICTED

Frozen Embryos

The President approved research only on existing cell lines drawn from embryos created for in-vitro fertilization by willing couples who received no money for their donation. But thousands of leftover embryos still in freezers must either be adopted, discarded or donated to researchers relying on private funding.

--THE EFFECT Frozen embryos will find a use in private research, especially if Bush's rules prove too restrictive.

--WHAT'S NEXT? The status of frozen embryos remains up in the air.

NO FEDERAL FUNDS

Donor Embryos

During his deliberations, Bush was reportedly worried when a Virginia institute announced it had collected sperm and egg donations to create embryos specifically for developing stem cells for research. Researchers argued it was more honest to create embryos solely for research. Bush saw a slippery slope.

--THE EFFECT Bush's rules cut these stem cells off from federal dollars. Private funding remains an option.

--WHAT'S NEXT? Private research will continue, especially if the 65 lines are insufficient.

Cloned Embryos

To create a new embryo, biologists implant the nucleus of an adult-donor cell into an egg-cell membrane. After extracting stem cells from the embryo, scientists may be able to grow cells and organs that are genetically identical to the donor's. Those could be implanted in the donor without fear of rejection.

--THE EFFECT Bush has ruled out funding for research, and the House passed a bill banning all cloning procedures.

--WHAT'S NEXT? If the Senate bans it, even private research will end.

--By Mitch Frank