A better approach than President Bush's might have been to keep up with the science and support the techniques (that were developed later) that don't require fetus destruction. By the Administration being so rigid and dogmatic instead of reality-based, more embryos have been killed in private and overseas research.
This is a big winner issue for Obama. The Bush Administration's mishandling of this issue has alienated a lot of Americans. Many wonder why federal funds couldn't be used for research that doesn't destroy any fetus, yet has the potential of saving lives and alleviating suffering.
“Many wonder why federal funds couldn’t be used for research that doesn’t destroy any fetus, yet has the potential of saving lives and alleviating suffering.”
I also think some of the frustration is a lack of consistency in this policy. GWB put limitations on stem cell research funding, yet there are many other types of research, such as fertility treatments, that still qualify for federal funding. This research routinely destroys embryos as well.
IVF clinics routinely destroy embryos in large numbers. Thousands a day are simply washed down the drain, or frozen indefinately. Yet, we rarely hear of efforts to change policies and procedures used in the assisted reproduction processes.
Wasn't this what adult stem cell research did? They did have a number of embryonic cells that they were using. If I remember correctly, and without looking it up, I believe President Bush's plan said no additional embryonic cells could be developed than what was already had. They could use existing cells, and they did not prove to be as effective as adult stem cells.
I remember that he called in scientists, who gave their view on adult stem cell research vs. embryonic stem cell research. Then, he called in clergy (can't remember if he went outside the Christian faith), and they gave their opinion on the morality issue of when life begins and using embryonic stem cells.
See
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IS06H01
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IS07L01
http://www.frc.org/insight/adult-stem-cell-sucess-stories-2008-jan-june
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2176333/posts (Can't access the original source. This may be what they are going to do in my friend who is scheduled for back surgery.)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090128160933.htm
There are more articles, but this gives you an idea of where my views were coming from.