Bush Won't Fund Stem Cell Research

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (AP) - President Bush said Friday that federal money should not pay for research on fetal tissue or so-called stem cells derived from abortions.

``I do not support research from aborted fetuses,'' he said.

He did not say whether he would move to block federal research funding - an act that many scientists say could stop promising research into therapies for numerous diseases. 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.

``I will let you know when I decide all policy decisions, but the answer to your question is no,'' Bush said when asked whether he believes federal money should be spent on fetal-tissue and stem-cell research from abortions.

On Monday, two days into his presidency, Bush had moved to restore restrictions on U.S. foreign aid to family-planning organizations involved in abortion. Anti-abortion conservatives were a cornerstone of his political campaign.

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.

Stem cells can come from aborted fetuses or from embryos left over from fertility clinics. A few also can be found from adult tissues, but scientists say fetal and embryonic stem cells are the most flexible and thus most usable.

Bush did not specifically address embryonic stem cells.

Some conservative groups oppose using embryonic stem cells for research because culling them kills the embryos. Scientists now know how to multiply embryonic stem cells in laboratories without killing additional embryos. Unless Bush intervenes, the National Institutes of Health plans to begin funding research with just those lab-grown embryonic stem cells as early as this spring.

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