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In the five years since President Bush authorized and at the same time restricted research on human embryonic stem cells, a marked shift has taken place in some scientists_ views of how the research is likely to benefit medicine. Many no longer see cell therapy as the first goal of the research, parting company with those whose near-term expectations for cell therapy remain high.
Instead, these researchers envisage a longer-term program in which human embryonic cells would be a research tool to study the mechanisms of disease. From this, they say, many therapeutic benefits may emerge, like new drugs, which would probably be available at least as soon as any cell therapy treatment.
Mr. Bush announced on Aug. 9, 2001, that government-financed researchers would be unable to work with human embryonic stem cells because the Dickey Amendment barred federal support for any research in which an embryo was destroyed. As a political compromise, Mr. Bush allowed research to proceed, but only with stem cell lines that were already established. Mr. Bush sustained his position last month by vetoing a bill...
Instead, these researchers envisage a longer-term program in which human embryonic cells would be a research tool to study the mechanisms of disease. From this, they say, many therapeutic benefits may emerge, like new drugs, which would probably be available at least as soon as any cell therapy treatment.
Mr. Bush announced on Aug. 9, 2001, that government-financed researchers would be unable to work with human embryonic stem cells because the Dickey Amendment barred federal support for any research in which an embryo was destroyed. As a political compromise, Mr. Bush allowed research to proceed, but only with stem cell lines that were already established. Mr. Bush sustained his position last month by vetoing a bill...