Stem cell research using human embryos has been banned once again as an significant United States election approaches. In a decision on Aug. 23, a U.S. district judge reinstated prohibitions on embryonic embryo. 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. Obama’s pen neutralized a ban ordered in 2001 by George W. Bush. Progress in research on diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases was halted when the judge ruled in favor of the religious scientists. The scientific community is outraged. An appeal strategy is being formulated by the administration. Whether or not the stem cell issue will pay political dividends is being debated among various campaigns.
Giant jump backwards for stem cell research
Federally-funded embryonic stem cell research underway in earnest. The scientific community felt ambushed upon hearing news the ban had been renewed. The suit was brought by Nightlight Christian Adoptions and other religious organizations. Scientists supported by the plaintiffs charged that research using adult stem cells was being discriminated against by providing federal assistance to programs using stem cells from embryos. In an article published by United States of America News and World Report, a scientist said stem-cell research suffered a 10-year setback with the ruling. Susan Solomon, CEO of the New York Stem-cell Foundation, said the return of the Bush ban means that a minority of activists has co-opted scientific disciplines with politics to further their agenda.
Jobs might substitute stem cells as reliable wedge issue
The judge’s ruling will face an appeal by the Justice Department. Wall Street Journal coverage notes that other means of funding embryonic stem cell research are being investigated by advocates of the practice. Campaign managers are mulling over the political advantages the controversy may provide. The Journal talked to a Republican source who said “jobs” was probably a better G.O.P. talking point than stem-cell research within the upcoming election. Because stem cell research is favored by most United States of America voters, the problem could benefit Democratic candidates. A revival of the debate might help the president. Obama is in the midst of a campaign to paint the upcoming ballot as a choice between looking to the future or clinging to the past.
The law controlling stem-cell research
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. In a remark submitted on the United States News article, Marco Bolo of Colorado said that the judge based upon his ruling on a regulation banning federal funds for research using embryos that has been on the books since 1996. Bolo contends that Obama cannot 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.
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Wall Street Journal
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