Text 1022, 75 rader
Skriven 2005-05-24 23:33:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050524a) for Tue, 2005 May 24
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Fact Sheet: Valuing Life Through Embryo Adoption and Ethical Stem Cell
Research
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 24, 2005

Fact Sheet: Valuing Life Through Embryo Adoption and Ethical Stem Cell
Research




Today's Presidential Action

Today, President Bush Will Deliver Remarks On Embryo Adoption And Ethical
Stem Cell Research Policy At The White House. To recognize this
life-affirming alternative, the President will meet with 21 families that
have adopted children as embryos and will reiterate his opposition to using
taxpayer money to promote research that takes life.

Background: Embryo Adoption And Ethical Stem Cell Research

President Bush Supports Embryo Adoption As A Life-Affirming Alternative.
Embryo adoption provides an option for the survival and development of
embryos frozen in fertility clinics, giving them a chance at life and
giving infertile couples the opportunity to build a family.
  þ Frozen Embryos Do Not Have To Be Destroyed In Research Or Discarded.
    There are alternatives to destroying or discarding embryos stored after
    fertility treatment. They can be donated for adoption to other couples
    through efforts like the Snowflakes Frozen Embryo Adoption program,
    which has connected donating families with adoptive families, resulting
    in the birth of 81 children to date with more on the way.
  þ The President Supports Efforts To Increase Public Awareness Of Embryo
    Adoption. Administration officials have voiced support of embryo
    adoption and have worked to inform doctors and infertile couples of
    this option. In 2002, President Bush signed a bill granting $1 million
    per year for HHS grants to publicize embryo adoption programs.

Embryo Adoption Shows The Human Face Behind The Debate On Stem Cell
Research. The debate over government funding of embryonic stem cell
research is not just about science. It is about human life.
  þ Taxpayer Money Should Not Promote Research That Destroys Life. While
    the President's policy does not ban, limit, or restrict stem cell
    research of any kind, it does not provide federal funding for stem cell
    research that would require the destruction of human embryos.
  þ Other Kinds Of Stem Cell Research Hold Great Promise Without Ethical
    Concerns. Stem cell research involving blood from umbilical cords or
    adult bone marrow has already led to medical advances and offers
    enormous potential for many more. Such research never requires the
    destruction of human life. In addition, researchers are exploring ways
    to obtain the same kind of cells now derived from embryos without
    harming or taking life.
  þ President Bush Delivered The First Ever Federal Funding For Embryonic
    Stem Cell Research. From 2001 to 2004, the Administration provided $54
    million for human embryonic stem cell research pursued within clear
    moral bounds. During this same period of time, federal funding for
    non-embryonic stem cell research exceeded $1.7 billion.
  þ Many Opportunities For Stem Cell Research Exist. Seventy-eight
    derivations of human embryonic stem cells have been found eligible for
    federal funding. With federal funding, scientists are developing these
    lines; so far, 22 have been made available as fully developed lines.
    Because stem cell lines replicate themselves, eligible lines can be
    used by many individual researchers. Hundreds of experiments are
    underway at facilities around the country.

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