Obama to Overturn Stem Cell Research Restrictions

The Obama administration is expected to lift a newly 9 year ban on federal funded embryonic stem cell research today. In 2001 President Bush placed a freeze on federal funding that involved experiments using stem cells but later in the year released federal funding for research on existing stem cell lines. He stated that no additional embryos are to be destroyed for their stem cells. Back in May of 2000 Bust wrote to the Culture of Life Foundation and stated "I oppose federal funding for stem cell research that involves destroying living human embryos." Obama's take is quite different as he voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (Link) but President Bush vetoed it.

Katie Hood, the CEO of The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, said: "Our foundation is optimistic about the work that will now continue toward better treatments and cures for the millions of people impacted by injury or disease." Michael J. Fox has been an advocate of stem cell research and has commended Obama for taking the steps to reverse the ban that former President Bush instated. "Today is a new day. I'm thrilled to see President Obama has honored his commitment to get politics out of science" Mr. Fox told Good Morning America. "The last few years have been incredibly frustrating for patients and researchers who believe that embryonic stem cell research has the potential to bring better treatment."

Below is the process involved with cloning for stem cells:

1) Egg is obtained from donor.
2) Nucleus DNA is removed from the Egg.
3) Human skin cells are taken fromt the patient.
4) Nucleus DNA is removed also from the skin cells.
5) Skin cell nucleus is then implanted into the Egg.
6) The blastocyst (the newly constructed Egg) is stimulated with current and/or chemicals
7) In about 3 - 5 days the embryonic stem cells are removed.
8) The blastocyst is destroyed.
9) The newly developed stem cells can now be used to generate tissue or an organ.

Not everyone is thrilled about using federal money to fund human embryonic stem cell research. "Today's news that President Obama will open the door to direct taxpayer funds for embryonic stem cell research that encourages the destruction of human embryos is a slap in the face to Americans who believe in the dignity of all human life." the Family Research Council said in a statement. "I believe it is unethical to use human life, even young embryonic life, to advance science. While such research is unfortunately legal, taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for experiments that require the destruction of human life. President Obama's policy change is especially troubling given the significant adult stem cell advances that are being used to treat patients now without harming or destroying human embryos.

"I urge President Obama to direct funding not only to the best science, but also to the surest common ground -- research using adult stem cells and stem cells created by reprogramming." the FRC went on to say.

Embryonic Stem Cell research is a hot topic and the overturn law by President Obama is not likely to go down without a lot of protest. What do you think Obama should do?