(CNSNews.com) - Scientists have created "scores of embryos" just to harvest their stem cells, the New York Times reported Wednesday. The report is sure to increase the anxiety of those who oppose embryonic stem-cell research on ethical grounds.

According to the newspaper, scientists at a privately funded Norfolk, Va., fertility clinic have broken a taboo by creating human life for the express purpose of destroying it for research purposes.

Clinic researchers mixed donated eggs and sperm in lab dishes, after receiving permission beforehand from the human donors. Researchers say the "fresh" embryos may be better than the frozen ones discarded by fertility clinics, partly because younger egg donors can be used.

President Bush is expected to decide soon whether his administration will allow federal tax dollars to subsidize research that uses stem cells taken from human embryos.

"The White House seems to be leaning toward approving funding for [embryonic] stem cell research - despite the fact that the President has said that he is unequivocally pro-life," said Focus on the Family President Dr. James Dobson in a statement released on Wednesday, July 11. "This would be a major departure from his campaign promises if he changes direction in this vitally important debate."

The issue has split the pro-life movement, with some abortion opponents - including Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) -- supporting embryonic stem cell research because of the potentially life-saving therapies it may produce.

Dobson said he is surprised and disappointed in the position Hatch and others have taken. "You have to kill the embryo in order to extract these stem cells," noted Dobson. "That is not about life. That is about death," he said.

Dobson and other pro-life groups say they don't oppose stem-cell research involving adult stem cells, or stem cells taken from newborn babies' placentas and or umbilical cords. But some scientists claim stem cells from human embryos are more promising than those from other sources.

Since 1995, Congress has banned the use of federal funds for research that destroys human embryos. The Clinton administration found a loophole, allowing federal funds to be used for stem-cell research as long as government scientists didn't destroy the embryos themselves. That work was left to private groups.

President Bush is expected to announce his policy very soon, and while he has said he opposes research involving human embryos, he's under tremendous pressure to let scientists work on life-saving therapies.

No matter what he decides, he will be roundly blasted for making the "wrong" decision.
See Earlier Story:
Pro-Life Republicans Urge Stem Cell Research (21 June 2001)
Right To Life Committee Working to Defeat Stem Cell Research Bills (2 July 2001)