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Human Life International particularly responded to "fundamental issues" that Bush discussed in his explanation. Fr. Thomas Euteneuer wrote:

Last night the President asked the question, "are these frozen embryos human life and therefore something precious to be protected?" Of course! The fact that we as a nation cannot answer that question is the most deeply disturbing aspect of this whole debate. Human life begins at fertilization, Mr. President! Human life is precious! And even though the Government is not funding the killing of these embryos, it is now funding their killers.

Concerned Women for America feels the logic behind the decision is unacceptable:

The President's position contradicts the Nuremberg Code, ethical guidelines set down after World War II, which prohibits experimentation that knowingly causes injury or death to humans.

The President has embraced the hair-splitting logic of the previous Administration, in pretending that it is wrong to conduct experiments on someone you have killed yourself, but right to do so on someone who has been killed by another. The critical moral question is not who killed the victim, but rather shall we profit from that killing?

In a contrasting statement, the National Right to Life Committee applauded the decision. "We are delighted that President Bush's decision prevents the federal government from becoming a party to any further killing of human embryos for medical experimentation," said Laura Echevarria, director of Media Relations.

James Dobson of Focus on the Family says Bush "deserves praise from citizens who understand that it is never justified to destroy one life in order to possibly save another." He said:

Americans who respect human life from conception understand that this type of research oversteps the bounds of morality and ethics. We breathe a sigh of relief that President Bush has upheld that pro-life policy, and trust that he will continue to do so.

We as a nation need to understand that we can be both pro-life and supportive of medical research. Federal funds should be directed toward funding research using non-destructive sources such as bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, placenta and fat.

Philippine kidnappers still running, may be setting diversions

As Philippine army officers claim they are closing in on the Abu Sayyaf rebels, the New Tribes Mission Web site reports that the August 2 raid by the rebels may have been a distraction to divert the army from where their 21 hostages were being held. Hostages include American New Tribes missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, who have been held since May 27.

The Muslim rebels are on the run, but a Roman Catholic priest alleges that in June he witnessed officers allowing the guerrillas to get away. The military is beginning an investigation into the accusations but has admitted that "tactical lapses" have occurred.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has vowed to hunt down the rebels. While she would consider peace talks with Abu Sayyaf, Arroyo will not pay a ransom for the hostages.

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August (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45