Bush to Announce Stem-Cell Decison

Aug. 9 -- — President Bush has made what is arguably the most significant decision of his presidency to date: whether or not to fund potentially groundbreaking — but highly controversial — stem-cell research.

The president will announce his decision in a televised address to the nation at 9 ET tonight.

"This is a serious, difficult issue that the president has approached in a deliberate and thoughtful manner," deputy White House press secretary Scott McClellan told reporters.

"The president has carefully considered all the scientific and ethical issues involved," McClellan added. "He wants to share his decision directly with the American people and why he reached the decision he has reached."

Morality and Medicine

Scientists say biomedical research using stem cells extracted from human embryos could lead to cures for a host of diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes and Alzheimer's, as well as treatments for debilitating brain and spinal injuries.

But abortion opponents, including leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, say the research is immoral because the embryos from which the cells are derived are destroyed in the process.

The president, himself a staunch opponent of abortion and a deeply religious Methodist, has been wrestling for weeks with what has been an ethical and political dilemma for him.

Bush unequivocally opposed federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research during last year's presidential campaign. But aides to the president had said he was genuinely "conflicted" about the issue since taking office and had been "agonizing" about his decision.

"This is a decision that will have far-reaching implications for our nation 20 to 30 years down the road," McClellan said today.

A President Under Pressure

As the president deliberated, he came under immense pressure from advocates on both sides of the emotionally charged debate.

Anti-abortion groups and conservative members of Congress, including GOP leaders in the House and Senate, have all lobbied the president to ban federal funding. Pope John Paul II personally urged the president to reject embryonic stem-cell research when the two met during Bush's trip to Europe last month.