Stem-cell research using human embryos has been banned yet again as an significant United States election approaches. On Aug. 23, a ban federal aid supporting embryo using human stem cell research was reinstituted by a U.S. district judge. Religious organizations backed a pair of researchers who sued to overturn an executive order from President Obama permitting federal funds for stem cell research using human embryos. A ban initiated by George W. Bush in 2001 was suspended by Obama’s action. Since the ban was lifted progress had been made in study on diseases for instance diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. That progress was stopped cold by the judge’s decision. The scientific community is outraged. Talk of an appeal was immediate. The administration said it will follow through. The political utility of the stem cell issue is being evaluated by both parties.
Stem cell research set back a decade
Federally-funded embryonic stem cell research underway in earnest. The scientific community felt ambushed upon hearing news the ban had been renewed. Religious groups including Nightlight Christian Adoptions filed the lawsuit. A pair of researchers claimed that directing federal funds for embryonic stem cell research discriminated against scientists using adult stem cells. A scientist quoted in a U.S. News and World Report article said the order turned the clock back a 10 years with stem cell research. Susan Solomon, CEO of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, told U.S. News the court decision “allows a vocal minority to hold scientific disciplines hostage to a narrow political agenda”.
Embryos reemerge as a political issue
The Justice Department said it will appeal the judge’s decision. The Wall Street Journal reports that supporters of embryonic stem cell research in Congress are exploring ways to maintain federal funding. Political operatives are exploring the utility of the issue. The Journal talked to a Republican source who said “jobs” was probably a better G.O.P. talking point than embryo in the upcoming election. The issue could help Democrats, because embryonic stem-cell research is supported by a majority of Americans. As he promotes the midterms as either a step forward or a step back, President Obama might hold the advantage.
Stem-cell research and also the law
While the issue is in appeal, the administration will work to convince the district court to suspend its ruling, as outlined by the Justice Department. The regulation is the law, as outlined by Marco Bolo of Colorado. In a remark on the United States News article, Bolo said the judge was simply upholding a 1996 regulation banning the use of federal funds for embryonic embryo. Bolo contends that Obama can’t overturn existing legislation and that the judge is simply enforcing the law. Resuming progress with embryonic stem cell research is as simple, and as complicated, as rewriting the law.
Further reading
U.S. News and World Report
health.usnews.com
Wall Street Journal
wsj.com
