Obama reverses ban on funding of embryonic research

BY NANCY FRAZIER OʼBRIEN US PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s executive order reversing the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research represents “a sad victory of politics over science and ethics”, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia said shortly after the signing of the order at the White House on Monday.
The chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities was among Catholic, pro-life and other leaders who criticised the reversal, which Mr Obama had promised during his campaign.
Speaking in the East Room of the White House Mr Obama said the stem-cell policy of former President George Bush, in effect since 2001, had forced “a false choice between sound science and moral values”. Mr Obama also urged Congress to consider further expansion of funding for such research.
Since 1995 the Dickey/Wicker amendment to the annual appropriations bills for federal health programmes has barred federal funding of research involving the creation or destruction of human embryos.
But the President had strong words against human cloning, which he said is “dangerous, profoundly wrong and has no place in our society, or any society”.
He said he would work to ensure that “our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction”.
Among the several dozen people present at the White House for the signing were members of Congress, scientists, families whose members had been or could be affected by stem-cell breakthroughs, and representatives of the Episcopal and United Methodist churches, several Jewish bodies and the Interfaith Alliance.
Mr Obama said a “majority of Americans – from across the political spectrum, and of all backgrounds and beliefs have come to a consensus that we should pursue” embryonic stem-cell research.
But Cardinal Rigali said the executive order “disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life” and “ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem-cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support”.
He reiterated points raised by Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, the bishops’ conference president, who said in a January letter to Mr Obama that a change in the policy on funding of embryonic stemcell research “could be a terrible mistake – morally, politically and in terms of advancing the solidarity and well-being of our nation’s people.”
Stuart Reid: Page 20