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Obama lifts ban on funding stem-cell research
President Obama signaled a major
shift in the federal government’s science policy Monday, lifting Bush-era
restrictions on funding embryonic stem cell research and vowing to “restor[e]
scientific integrity to government decisionmaking.”
Obama signed an executive order
freeing up the federal government to finance research into these cells,
which scientists believe have the potential to be used in therapies for
ailments including spinal cord damage, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. The president
also vowed to enforce strict ethical guidelines on the research.
The president’s move also underscores his stance on the related issue of abortion rights. Opponents of abortion rights reject this kind of stem cell research because human embryos are destroyed in the process of harvesting the cells.
Obama also issued a separate presidential memorandum responding to charges from scientists and Democrats that President George W. Bush put his political ideology ahead of scientific evidence in areas such as stem cell research and climate change.
Together, the presidential directives are “about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda,” Obama said.
The executive order, which Obama said should be followed by legislation expanding on federal policy on stem cell research, fulfills a campaign promise and is the capstone of a political crusade by Democrats and several key Republicans to dedicate government resources to advance research into a potentially transformative area.
Bush twice vetoed legislation that would have lifted the restrictions he imposed. Some of that legislation’s champions attended the signing ceremony, including Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Mike Castle (R-Del.), and Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).
Bush enacted a policy that permitted the federal government to fund research on 21 stem cell lines that had already been created as of Aug. 9, 2001, but prohibited funding for any lines derived from embryos after that date. Although research in this area continued with the use of private dollars, through state-based financing and in other countries, researchers complained that Bush’s policy severely limited their ability to move ahead.
As he did in the Senate and on the campaign trail, Obama indicated he holds the same view.
“In recent years, our
government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science
and moral values," Obama said. “When government fails to make theses
investments, opportunities are missed.”
Obama also affirmed his opposition
to human cloning for reproductive purposes, saying it is “dangerous" and "profoundly
wrong" and that it "has no place in our society or any society.” The administration
also will draft ethical guidelines for embryonic research, “which we will
rigorously enforce,” Obama said.
Obama’s allies responded to his
actions with praise.
“I applaud President Obama for lifting these restrictions that will immediately allow this research to move forward,” DeGette said.
“I could not be
more thrilled with President Obama's decision today to lift the restrictions on
federal funding for embryonic stem cell research," said Castle.
Opponents of federal funding for
embryonic stem cell research roundly rejected the new policy.
“The administration’s policy change
does not answer the central question: Do human embryos, which are clearly
alive, constitute a life or mere property?” said Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.).
“It is categorically wrong to fund unnecessary and immoral research that destroys human embryos,” said House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.).
Do you agree with Obama's executive order to lift funding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research? Comment at The Hill's Blog Briefing Room.
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