Scientists attack court ruling against Barack Obama's stem cell policy

Tuesday 24 August 2010
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/aug/24/scientists-attack-stem-cells-ruling

Barack Obama wanted to expand medical research, in the exploration for cures to other primary diseases, by using the stem cells retrieved from human embryos. Opponents, formed by an alliance of Christian groups, went to court saying that Obama has trespassed the Dickey-Wicker amendment, which prohibits the use of goverments money for financing “research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed.” The court ruled in favour of the opponents. An opinion poll’s outcome last year found that 54% of Americans sustain these researches. Scientists were angry and criticized the order as being "deplorable" and "a serious setback."


I am in favour for medical research being done with human adult stem cells. When it comes to the use of embryonic cells where the embryo’s life is destroyed I am apprehensive, for life is sacred and cannot be used as a ‘disposable good,’ not even for the sake of science. They have to look for other methods to achieve similar outcome as by using embryonic cells. Therefore I am glad the judge ruled in favour of the opponents. In the Netherlands these researches are allowed. Nine members of the European Union disapprove of researches where embryonic cells are used.