The White House on Thursday said it was encouraged by a new method for embryonic stem cell research, an advance that could help resolve President George W. Bush’s objections to what he views as the destruction of life.

Bush used his first veto last month to block increased federal spending for such research, despite strong public support for the effort to combat diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The president believes (the new research) deserves a good look, he is encouraged that there are scientists who are continuing to look for innovative ways to do stem cell research that would not involve the destruction of embryos, says White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Still conservative religious groups, said the Massachusetts company’s announcement did not change their view the research destroyed potential human life.

Advocates of increased research said it was a vain attempt to resolve a debate about medical ethics through science.

“This isn’t a technique that’s going anywhere. This isn’t an alternative to anything,” said Arthur Caplan, director of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics.

Stem cells, which can develop into any kind of body tissue, are prized by medical researchers who believe they can lead to tailored treatments for diseases including cancer and diabetes.

Though they are available from many sources many experts say the most powerful and versatile cells may be those taken from embryos. Religious conservatives oppose this process because those embryos are destroyed when the cells are removed.

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