WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's attempt to find some middle ground on stem cell research pleased those who were willing to compromise.

Hard-liners on either side of the issue, however, found plenty to dislike.

For some opposed to the research, it was a win because the policy could limit the number of human embryos that would be killed for research. For the supporters, it meant scientists could go forward with research into the potential benefits, such as cures for diseases ranging from cancer to Parkinson's.

But for more hard-line opponents, deriving research benefits from already killed embryos simply piles one moral wrong atop another.

Some supporters of the research said any limits to what scientists are allowed could only delay the hope of finding cures.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Bill Frist, a former surgeon, praised the president.

"President Bush's decision means that important stem cell research will move forward, giving hope to millions of people suffering from debilitating diseases and injuries," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said in a statement he respected the president's decision.

"The president's statement tonight reflects a genuine willingness to embrace the concept that embryonic stem cell research may yield hopeful applications," he said.

Some conservative groups and lawmakers, however, did not deviate from their argument that research remains morally wrong, even on the cells from already dead embryos.

"The trade-off he has announced is morally unacceptable: The federal government, for the first time in its history, will support research that relies on the destruction of some defenseless human beings for the possible benefit to others," said Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"The technique used to create the stem cell lines did not respect the sanctity of life," House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said in a statement.

Others, such as the anti-abortion National Right to Life Committee, found it acceptable to benefit from the embryos already dead - so long as no more are killed, least of all on taxpayer money.

"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 spokesman Laura Echevarria, saying there's nothing that the president can do to "restore the lives of those embryos who have already died."

Some in the scientific community were happy that the research will receive any federal support at all.

"It was a very good, clear and balanced outcome," said Carl Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which represents 1,000 biotech firms and 150 universities conducting stem cell research.

Others were concerned the proposal would limit scientific freedom and slow chances at finding cures. Specifically, they questioned Bush's top end of 60 lines of cells, which some said may not be enough.

"We are very concerned whether this is sufficient to do the work that needs to be done," said Peter Van Etten, president of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. "What we believe is that the scientific community should set the standards."