Compassionate Conservatism.

White House rejects calls for change of stem cell policy: "The White House is rejecting calls by former President Reagan's family to change its policy on stem cell research.

Press Secretary Scott McClellan says flatly, 'The policy remains the same.' He adds, 'We are looking at other ways to combat disease.'

Reagan's widow Nancy and his daughter Patti Davis have been outspoken advocates of expanding medical research using embryonic stem cells. Biologists think these could help create treatments for diseases ranging from diabetes to Alzheimer's, which afflicted Reagan for a decade.

In 2001, Bush signed an executive order limiting federally funded research to 78 lines of embryonic stem cells then in existence. However, researchers say the number of lines actually available is now 19 -- and contamination may make those unusable.

McClellan says Bush believes his policy still provides enough lines to continue research.
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