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U.S. President Barack Obama has signed an executive order lifting funding limits on research with embryonic stem cells imposed by his predecessor, George W. Bush.
"Today, with the executive order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers, doctors, and innovators, patients and loved ones have hoped for, fought for these past eight years," Obama told reporters at a news conference at the White House on Monday.
"We will lift the ban on federal funding for ... embryonic stem cell research."
The long-promised move will allow a rush of research aimed at one day better treating, if not curing, ailments from diabetes to paralysis — research that has drawn broad support, including from notables like Nancy Reagan, widow of the late Republican president Ronald Reagan.
Under Bush, taxpayer money for that research was limited to the 21 stem cell lines that were created before Aug. 9, 2001. But researchers have said that these lines have, in many cases, had some drawbacks that limited their potential usability.
The research is controversial because days-old embryos must be destroyed to obtain the cells. They typically are culled from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away.
"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," Obama said.
"In this case 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."
Obama qualified his support for stem cell research by saying that his administration "will never undertake this research lightly."
"We will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly conducted. We will develop strict guidelines which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse."
Obama also said his administration will never open the door to human cloning, which he called "dangerous." 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.
Change gives greater flexibility for research
Since Bush's decree, hundreds of new stem cell lines have been created. Researchers say these new lines, funded by private dollars, are healthier and better suited to creating treatments for people rather than doing basic laboratory science.
Obama's change does not fund creation of new lines. But it means that U.S. scientists who until now have had to rely on private donations to work with these newer stem cell lines can apply for government money for the research, just like they do for studies of gene therapy or other treatment approaches.
The reversal of the Bush ban on funding for new lines fulfills a promise made repeatedly by Obama during his presidential campaign. Obama called on Congress to "act on a bipartisan basis" to provide further support to stem cell research.
But critics have questioned Obama's eagerness in implementing the change at a time when the United States is struggling through a severe economic tailspin.
Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House, said in a Sunday interview with CNN that the White House should focus on the economy instead.
"[Obama's] response to that is that the economy's a big problem, it's going to take a long time to turn around so we can do other things at the same time," said the CBC's Paul Hunter from Washington, D.C.
"Nonetheless, he's doing it very quickly and ... sending that strong signal in his remarks there that his administration wants to put science ahead of ideology."
Obama also announced Monday that his administration would draw up "a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision-making."
The strategy would "ensure that in this new administration we base our public policies on the soundest science, that we appoint scientific advisers based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology."
He did not offer further details.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/03/09/obama-stem-cells.html
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Recent legislative action on Georgia prohibiting stem cell research can be found here
A news clip on Obama and stem cell research can be accessed here
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Your assignment is to create an 11 sentence paragraph based on the prompt
"Should individual states create their own legislation concerning stem cell research?"
Please provide details and examples. Publish your assignment as a comment to this post. Questions, please me doug@dougabshire.com Thanks, Mr. A
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5 comments:
"Should individual states create their own legislation concerning stem cell research?"
Please provide details and examples. Publish your assignment as a comment to
I think that individual states shouldn't create their own legislation concerning stem cell research. I think that individual states should not create their own legislation concerning stem cell research because that would give each state government to choose whether or not to let their scientists and doctors do some stem cell research. I believe that all of our nation's scientists and doctors should have the right to do stem cell research freely throughout the entire nation. Scientist and doctors would then be forced to move from their 'native' state in order to practice stem cell research freely. It would also be really unfair for a lot of our nation's citizens. There are some states where the republican party dominate the government, and usually most republicans are strictly against stem cell research. By doing that, that particular state government would make a decision simply based on their own morals and points of view instead of on the state's residents. Last, even though there sure are many conservatives through out our nation ( for example, the Georgia state conservationists that are trying to put some restrictions on stem cell research) they should also take into consideration the rights of the other side of the story. If they are truly against stem cell research, then they shouldn't use the benefits that the rest of the population might possibly gain from that research. By letting each individual state have the liberty to choose whether or not to allow stem cell research, then we are creating a pathway to create other laws-- such as maybe the prohibition of letting women vote again. In conclusion, this topic about stem cell research is incredibly complicated, there are many pros and cons on the subject, but I still believe that the main decision on whether allowing or not allowing stem cell research in the U.S. should be a federal matter.
The easy answer is no. If states made individual decisions about stem cell research it would complicate things and create a grey area for a lot of issues. However it would offer the ablility to make decisions that would either help further the medical ability of the state or it would help states to reflect the values that they would like to represent. I believe that in order for states to govern the use of stem cells they must be given that ability, and they must act only in the interest of the people, not in their own personal interests. Another reason for state governed stem cell research and not federally governed stem cell research is the Bush administration and their acts. They banned stem cell research simply because they believed it was "wrong" yet they didn't even let it be asked of the people. Instead Bush just made the decision and the states had no recourse. This is why i believe that stem cell research is not a issue that can be decided federally because it has too many different points that must be decided individually.
I don't think individual states should create their own legislature concerning stem cell research. I don't believe it will be necessary for states to do so. Given the freedoms in this country, no scientist or doctor will be forced to work with or research stem cells without their consent, making the endeavor a personal decision. Additionally, no patient can be forced to take stem cell treatment without their consent, eliminating the issue of having to do with something a person is not comfortable with.
On another note, the state legislature is meant to provide for the interests of the people. Placing an iron grip on the freedom of scientists and doctors to explore stem cell research is not in the interest of the people. It is an official's prejudice and beliefs on whether or not that person believes stem cell research to be an appropriate endeavor. As stated before, it is a purely personal decision for each individual as to whether or not they will participate in any kind of exercise related to stem cell research. Creating individual state legislature is excessive and unnecessarily infringes upon the rights of the people.
I think that individual states should not create their own legislation concerning the use of stem cells for research because this would unleash a lot more issues that states would make decisions for. The federal government makes the decisions for everyone but it’s up to individuals to accept it or not. Of course we could argue that it’s fair for states to make their own decision regarding the use of stem cells but its better to have an open door for research that way the people who do support it get it and the ones who don’t agree with it don’t have to participate in it. We can look at the effects of Bush’s restriction of stem cell research, but honestly you can’t make progress if you don’t have anything to work with. I agree with Seth, the decision of whether or not states are in favor of the research should not only reflect the opinion of those who represent the state but actually reflect what the people want to be done in that individual state. However if we gave power to the states in deciding on more critical issues I think it’s unnecessary, the decision is done but its up to individuals if they want to be a part of it or not. I don’t imagine a republican having an abortion done therefore their stem cells won’t be researched on. Those who do chose to have an abortion done in the state should be notified that the stem cells of the fetus will be researched on that way it makes it a little more fair and reduces the controversy.
Individual states should not create their own legislature for stem cell research. Doing this will only split the country more on the issue. President Obama's decision to lift the ban is a step forward. It allows researchers and scientists more freedom to make advances on stem cell research. This is a good thing because a cure to some diseases might be discovered helping lots of Americans get back to their lives. Hospitals will no longer need to spend money on treatment for these people so it can be put back into the economy. Each state choosing whether to do research would be unfair to scientists and residents. A person would have to move to a state that allows research. And a family might have to be uprooted because they can't get treatment.
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