Turns out that, for this White House, Karl Rove’s opinion on the embryonic vs. adult stem cell debate is more important than any published scientific work, ever. First, Rove told the Denver Post:

…that “recent studies” show researchers “have far more promise from adult stem cells than from embryonic stemcells.”

This is untrue. Here is Tim Russert asking White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten what the basis of Rove’s statements and whether the White House stands by them:

RUSSERT: Is there any evidence that you are aware of or that the President is aware of that says adult stem cells show far more promise than embryonic.BOLTEN: Adult stem cells have already demonstrated in the amelioration of disease.RUSSERT: So you agree with Mr. Rove.BOLTEN: Like I said, I’m not a scientist.RUSSERT: I don’t think Karl Rove is either.BOLTEN: Well, he knows a lot of stuff. The point here is that there are alternatives ways to get to the promise of that embryonic stem cells have. The president with his announcement this week on stem cell policy also announced we are going to put extra effort within our scientific community, at NIH, into pursuing stem cell research that does not involve the destruction of human embryos.

Hat-tip to Brad DeLong.