Obama reverses stem cell funding ban
Jenny Anzelmo
Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: National
President Barack Obama fulfilled a major campaign promise last week by signing an executive order on March 9 that reverses a ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Embryonic stem cells are eggs that have been fertilized in-vitro, hundreds of thousands of which will never be used for reproductive purposes and are discarded.
Supporters of stem cell research say it may lead to cures for chronic and degenerative illnesses from neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, diabetes and paralysis.
"Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," Obama said at the signing ceremony. "They result from painstaking and costly research, from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit, and from a government willing to support that work."
Obama added that he wants to restore "scientific integrity to government decision making."
"It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda, and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology," Obama said. "When government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed. Promising avenues go unexplored…In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research; rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values."
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research say it is a destruction of a human life.
"The president has rolled back important protections for innocent life, further dividing our nation at a time when we need greater unity to tackle the challenges before us," House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said.
Obama countered Boehner's point by addressing his own faith.
"As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering, I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research-and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly," Obama said.
Obama's executive order calls for new "strict guidelines" to administer and direct stem cell research within 120 days. These guidelines he says will be "rigorously" enforced.
"I can also promise that we will never undertake this research lightly. We will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly conducted," Obama said.
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) said Obama's focus on stem cell research is a "distraction" from the economic troubles and is fearful of where this research could lead.
"Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research can bring on embryo harvesting, perhaps even human cloning that occurs. We don't want that," Cantor said on CNN. "Let's put the federal dollars with the stem cell research that has produced results, which is the adult stem cell research."
Challenges still remain in receiving federal funding for stem cell research. A separate legislative ban, known as the "Dickie Amendment" which still prohibits federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, must be repealed.
Embryonic stem cells are eggs that have been fertilized in-vitro, hundreds of thousands of which will never be used for reproductive purposes and are discarded.
Supporters of stem cell research say it may lead to cures for chronic and degenerative illnesses from neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, diabetes and paralysis.
"Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," Obama said at the signing ceremony. "They result from painstaking and costly research, from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit, and from a government willing to support that work."
Obama added that he wants to restore "scientific integrity to government decision making."
"It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda, and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology," Obama said. "When government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed. Promising avenues go unexplored…In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research; rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values."
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research say it is a destruction of a human life.
"The president has rolled back important protections for innocent life, further dividing our nation at a time when we need greater unity to tackle the challenges before us," House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said.
Obama countered Boehner's point by addressing his own faith.
"As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering, I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research-and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly," Obama said.
Obama's executive order calls for new "strict guidelines" to administer and direct stem cell research within 120 days. These guidelines he says will be "rigorously" enforced.
"I can also promise that we will never undertake this research lightly. We will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly conducted," Obama said.
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) said Obama's focus on stem cell research is a "distraction" from the economic troubles and is fearful of where this research could lead.
"Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research can bring on embryo harvesting, perhaps even human cloning that occurs. We don't want that," Cantor said on CNN. "Let's put the federal dollars with the stem cell research that has produced results, which is the adult stem cell research."
Challenges still remain in receiving federal funding for stem cell research. A separate legislative ban, known as the "Dickie Amendment" which still prohibits federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, must be repealed.