    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [August 11, 2001]
    [Pages 956-957]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 11, 2001

        Good morning. This week I made a decision on a complex and difficult
    issue, the Federal role in embryonic stem cell research. Based on
    preliminary work, scientists believe these cells, which may have the
    ability to replace diseased or defective human tissue, offer great
    promise. They could help improve the lives of those who suffer from many
    terrible diseases, from juvenile diabetes to Alzheimer's, from
    Parkinson's to spinal cord injuries.
        While stem cells come from a variety of sources, most scientists, at
    least today, believe that research on stem cells from human embryos
    offers the most promise because these cells have the potential to
    develop into all the tissues of the body. This research offers great
    hope for treatments and possible cures. Research on embryonic stem cells
    also raises profound ethical questions, because extracting the stem cell
    destroys the embryo and thus destroys the potential for life.
        Some argue this small cluster of cells is not yet a human life
    because it cannot develop on its own. Yet an ethicist argued, this is
    the same way you and I started our lives. ``One goes with a heavy heart
    if we use these,'' he said, ``because we are dealing with the seeds of
    the next generation.''
        At its core, this issue forces us to confront fundamental questions
    about the beginnings of life and the ends of science. It lies at a
    difficult moral intersection, juxtaposing the need to protect life in
    all its phases with the prospect of saving and improving life in all its
    stages. As the genius of science extends the horizons of what we can do,
    we increasingly confront complex problems about what we should do.
        In recent weeks we learned that scientists have created human
    embryos in test tubes solely to experiment on them. This is deeply
    troubling and a warning sign that should prompt all of us to think
    through these issues very carefully. We recoil at the idea of growing
    human beings for spare body parts or creating life for our convenience.
    I strongly oppose cloning. And while we must devote enormous energy to
    conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the
    moral concerns

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    raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the
    most noble ends do not justify any means.
        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
    indefinitely, 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.
        Leading scientists tell me research on these 60 lines has great
    promise that could lead to breakthrough therapies and cures. 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.
        I also believe that great scientific progress can be made through
    aggressive Federal funding of research on umbilical cord, placenta,
    adult, and animal stem cells, which do not involve the same moral
    dilemma. This year the Government will spend $250 million on this
    important research.
        As we go forward, I hope we'll always be guided by both intellect
    and heart, by both our capabilities and our conscience. I have made this
    decision with great care, and I pray it is the right one.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:40 a.m. on August 10 at the Bush
    Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 11. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 10 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.