obama supports stemcell research funding

this was very exciting news today:
(CBS/AP) President Barack Obama said Monday he is allowing federal taxpayer dollars to fund significantly broader research on embryonic stem cells because "medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," and promised his administration would make up for the ground lost under his predecessor.

Fulfilling a campaign promise, Mr. Obama signed an executive order expected to set in motion increased research that supporters believe could uncover cures for serious ailments from diabetes to paralysis.

Mr. Obama's action, before a packed East Room audience, reverses former President George W. Bush's policy on stem cell research by undoing a 2001 directive that banned federal funding for research into stem lines created after that date.

Mr. Bush limited the use of taxpayer money to only the 21 stem cell lines that had been produced before his decision. He argued he was defending human life because days-old embryos - although typically from fertility clinics and already destined for destruction - are destroyed to create the stem cell lines.

The Obama order reverses that without addressing a separate legislative ban, which precludes any federal money paying for the development of stem cell lines. The legislation, however, does not prevent funds for research on those lines created without federal funding. (***********003377]Read more about what this Executive Order will do -- and won't do.[/COLOR])

Researchers say the newer lines created with private money during the period of the Bush ban are healthier and better suited to creating treatment for diseases. Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can morph into any cell of the body. Scientists hope to harness them so they can create replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases - such as new insulin-producing cells for diabetics, cells that could help those with Parkinson's disease or maybe even Alzheimer's, or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury.

Mr. Obama called his decision a "difficult and delicate balance," an understatement of the intense emotions generated on both sides of the long, contentious debate. He said he came down on the side of the "majority of Americans" who support increased federal funding for the research, both because strict oversight would prevent problems and because of the great and lifesaving potential it holds.

CBS News polling on the topic shows that Americans do support medical research using embryonic stem cells. In 2007, the last time CBS News asked the question, sixty-five percent said they approved compared to twenty-five percent who disapproved. The number of those who approved had gone up steadily since the 2004 when fifty percent approved. (***********003377]Read more about the polling.[/COLOR])

"Rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Mr. Obama said. "In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. 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." (***********003377]Read all of Mr. Obama's remarks.[/COLOR])

Mr. Obama warned against overstating the eventual benefits of the research. But he said his administration "will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research," taking a slap at his predecessor in the process.

"I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek. No president can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek them actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground."

It's a matter of competitive advantage globally as well, the president argued.

"When government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed. Promising avenues go unexplored. Some of our best scientists leave for other countries that will sponsor their work. And those countries may surge ahead of ours in the advances that transform our lives," Mr. Obama said.

Early Show medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips pointed out that such research was never banned or illegal. "The question that we're addressing today is what role, if any, federal funding should have" in this research.

"Many scientists for the last eight years have been complaining that they're spending more time trying to find funding for their research than actually doing their research. So for them this will really have a profound effect," Phillips said. "Certainly on an international level in medicine we're so excited about this research and the potential for healing that it has. So I think less red tape will have a profound effect."

Of the diseases or conditions that may be most affected by the end of the federal ban, Phillips said, "People are most excited about the neurological illnesses, things like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. A group in California will start using embryonic stem cells in humans to hopefully cure spinal cell injuries for people who have been paralyzed from the waist down. We're also seeing some hope in treating diabetes, heart disease and even strokes. So really, millions of people could be affected by this research."

"We've got eight years of science to make up for," said Dr. Curt Civin, whose research allowed scientists to isolate stem cells and who now serves as the founding director of the ***********003377]University of Maryland School of Medicine[/COLOR]'s Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. "Now the silly restrictions are lifted."

Mr. Bush and his supporters said they were defending human life; days-old embryos - typically from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away - are destroyed for the stem cells.

***********003377]Family Research Council[/COLOR], which advocates for a "Judeo-Christian worldview" and warns against the reproductive cloning of a human being, opposes the use of embryonic stem cells, promoting instead adult stem cells as being superior.

Of Mr. Obama's new order, FRC's Dr. David Prentice told CBS' The Early Show, "In terms of scientific advances I don't think we are going to see anything for this. This is more of an ideological move."

House Republican Leader John Boehner said the president’s repeal of the ban, “runs counter to President Obama’s promise to be a president for all Americans. For a third time in his young presidency, 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.” (***********003377]Read more about Republican reaction to the move.[/COLOR])

The president was insistent that his order would not open the door to human cloning.

"We will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse," Mr. Obama said. "And we will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society."

Mr. Obama also issued a memo promising to restore "scientific integrity to government decision-making." That policy change was aimed more broadly than the stem cell debate, to reach into areas such as climate change as well.

"Promoting science isn't just about providing resources it is also about protecting free and open inquiry," Mr. Obama said. "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. 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.

Mr. Obama said the presidential memorandum was the beginning of a process that would ensure that his administration: bases its decision "on the soundest science," appoints scientific advisers based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology, and is "open and honest" about the science behind its decisions.

"We view what happened with stem cell research in the last administration is one manifestation of failure to think carefully about how federal support of science and the use of scientific advice occurs," said Harold Varmus, chairman of the White House's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology.

 

Finally.

What was so offensive about the ban is that stem cells were discovered right here in the U.S. at the University of Wisconsin. A homegrown discovery hindered by the anti-scientific attitude of Christian fundamentalists in American government.

No more idiotic debates over the existential status of a blastocyst, let's get the ball rolling on this!

 

I do hope they will uncover cures.

 

What's good is that embryonic stem cells act like tofu because they can mimic the cells of any organ in the body.

 

So you think they may also be able to shorten waiting lists for organ transplants? Then eventually no John Qs?
I don't know a lot about it. Just curious.

 

I don't agree with the ruling. I think stem-cell research should absolutely be legal and I have no problem with science, but I don't think the government should be funding it at all.

 

Therapeutic cloning may lie in the future with a set of replaceable organs being ready for people who need them, but what may be more immediate are cures for diseases that cause tissue damage--cancer, Parkinsons, etc.

 

There is a lot of ignorance in America on this issue. A little trivia:

Q: Who was the 1st US President to authorize federal funding for stem cell research?

A. George W. Bush.

Oh, and the ball has been "rolling" for years. Private institutions have been researching embryos for quite some time now.

There was no ban on stem cell research.

 

Yep, California voters approved a bond measure that poured billions of dollars into stem cell research. One of many reasons why my state is so far ahead of any other in terms of scientific research and technological innovation.

http://www.iscbm.ucla.edu/

Now take that example and extrapolate the advantage other countries have in relation to the U.S. who've funded the research without restrictions on stem cell lines. It wasn't just about funding the research, but also access to new lines featuring diseases not among the lines that Bush approved.

 

Personally, I don't feel 100% comfortable with stem cell research, but hell, it's better than animal research and more reliable. Seriously, what do I have in common with a rat? Hopefully this will reduce things like what happened with thalidamide in the 60's. All I know is that I wouldn't donate my eggs to for the research. Who am I to judge someone who does though?

According to research though stem cells could be vital in reversing paralysis from spinal cord damage because like Saty said they aren't any "type" of cell yet, they can change to suit their purpose. It's all in the "theoretical stages" at the moment though. I noticed at school in Human Bio they always said "theoretically stem cells should be able to..."

This is one of these issues, with abortion and animal testing, that although I have my own opinion on, I don't think it should be illegal. I really need to research it more though.

I actually have some of Jacob's cord blood saved incase of an emergency, as it contains stem cells. It's really expensive! But worth it.

I've read that there are still major concerns with it though, that the stem cells could pass diseases onto people recieving them and things, and scares to do with cancer and things! I guess that's why it's vital to do more research. Also, would the body's immune system attack foreign embryonic stem cells? So many questions.

 

Why do you suppose Bill Clinton didn't allow federal funding at all for the 8 years he was in office? Since Bush basically cracked opened the door for federal funding, which Obama has now widened, perhaps he should be a hero for supporters instead of a villain?

 

The first stem cell lines were derived in 1998. You should really research a question before you pose it.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/282/5391/1145

 

...and Bill Clinton was president until 2000, yet federal funding began after Bush authorized it in 2001.

So I repeat the question, why do you suppose Clinton didn't crack open the same door that Bush did when he had the chance in 98,99 and 00?

 

In 1993, Bill Clinton and Congress passed important legislation that set the table for the use of embyronic cells in scientific research.

What was that act?

Do your research.

 

Ok, gotcha. Bill clinton turned the door knob so that G.W. Bush could crack open the door which Obama has now swung wide open. And there was never a ban on stem cell research under the Bush administration.

Never.

 

The embryos are taken from women who go in for in vitro fertilization, not from women who had them fertilized in their womb. The IVF embyros would be destroyed anyway, which furthers highlights the lunacy of those who oppose stem cell research on moral grounds. Paradoxically, America has the smartest and dumbest people on Earth.

No, given that stem cells are undifferentiated, they haven't taken on the proteins characteristic to certain types of cells. No protein baggage, no rejection.

 

The people who have misgivings about using embryos for research (whom you disagree with and therefore characterize as dumb), are also paying federal taxes along with the "smartest" (people you agree with).

That is why although this type of research has been ongoing in the private sector, it was a major issue when Bush authorized federal funding.

 

What will stop other countries from going all the way. When will we see the world's first custom made human being, the next super race, the cloning of the world's largest army of supermen. I'm sure someone in this world is thinking about this for world conquest.

 

You never have to look far for a dumbass.