New Rules On Stem Cells Threaten Current Research

Washington Post :

When President Obama lifted restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research in March, many scientists hailed the move as a long-awaited boost for one of the most promising fields of medical research.

Since then, however, many proponents have concluded that the plan could have the opposite effect, putting off-limits for federal support much of the research underway, including work that the Bush administration endorsed. "We're very concerned," said Amy Comstock Rick, chief executive of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, which has been leading the effort to free up more federal funding for stem cell research. "If they don't change this, very little current research would be eligible. It's a huge issue."

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[timberdoodle]

Instead of blaming Obama put the blame where it belongs on the American Taliban and all the religious organizations who are responsible for more suffering and death then all the armies in the world.

[mag68]

Enjoy your 2012 campaign Obama, Bush got a second term but I bet you won't. You turned your back on everyone who supported you to please all the goons that would never cast a vote for you under any circumstance. Enjoy the outcome.

[tel8034]

Don't you wish ................ After 8 years of neglect with EVERYONE being silent about the mistreatment they were receiving from Bush, all of a sudden President Obama has to jump through everyone's hoops or else they become WHINING BABIES.

President Clinton did not please every one, and there was none of this constant whining and complaining ................... Neither did it happen with President Carter.

Everyone is levying the "black tax" on President Obama ............... He has to be perfect 100% of the time, please everyone 100% of the time and take orders from everyone 100% of the time........ And while all of this is going on he has to be twice as good as any other President......... And it still isn't good enough.

Case in point Clinton signed the DADT bill and enacted DOMA ................ There was no backlash when either Clinton or Bush was in office ........... Now President Obama is taking all the heat for something he did not even have a hand in.

Everyone knows that congress will have to reverse DADT and DOMA , but yet President Obama is taking the heat ................... Why don't these same people put pressure on their state elected officials?................... And how else does one beat up the black President without being labeled a racist?

The scientists got their stem cell research approval .............. But instead of working the details out they run to the MSM like whining babies ............... I guess they were much happier when Bush was in office.

[wanttruth]

Another thought-provoking post!

[jbrantow]

The stealth GOPers pretending to be Democrats whine that they aren't satisified with Obama and will vote him out in 2012. I read these comments here and see them often on Cspan......Their problem is that the Democrats are not as stupid as the GOPer and won't fall for their third grade tactics. Democrats will be in power for a long time to come!

[NineLives]

Obama delivers another slap in the face for those looking for hope and cures from the promise of stem cell research.

What a miserable mistake voting for him has been for me.

[PlaceboStudman]

I wouldn't call this a slap in the face. I'd call this a bump in the road. This ruling, even if it stands, isn't going to eliminate SCR, it's just going to slow it down a bit. But, it will make it easier and more comfortable for parents to make an informed decision, and that may save lives in the long run

[NineLives]

Please cite your occupation when making such a statement. Do you have the medical credentials?

[economics101]

Mistake after Mistake after Mistake.

[shockmagog]

Yep. Those were the last 8 years, alright.

[Mike169]

I thought he was talking about his stupid posts!

[totaldisbelief]

So how do you "lift the ban" and leave the funding as it was?

[PlaceboStudman]

All this is doing is, essentially, starting over from scratch. Yes, many of the lines may have to be destroyed, but new ones can be created with the parent's permission, and I would suspect that large number of parents will give permission. Which is a heck of a lot more sensable than some people who would create embryos exclusively for the SCs, which is wholly and completely over the edge IMHO

[PlaceboStudman]

So the complaint is based on the fact that parents weren't fully notified that their embryos were going to be used for SCR?? Well, hell, talk about lax oversight of ethical guidelines.

I am the biggest proponent of SCR there is, but you can add my objection to this new policy too.

Hopefully, fertility clinics will be much more open and transparent about their practices of what they do with the unwanted embryos next time.

Let's hope this doesn't put too much strain on the current lines of available SCs, but if it does, well, frankly, I'm okay with that, because I believe the parents had a right to know and consent!

[Tkevan]

Imagine that. Pres. Obama cuts the available government funded lines down to 10% of what was allowed by Pres. Bush. And eliminates EVERY OTHER LINE AVAILABLE. Nice job.

There's the Change we can believe in, right there.

[PlaceboStudman]

Every line *currently* available, but this doesn't restrict the creation of new lines, so long as the parents give consent, if I understand the rules correctly. So, yes, research will be slowed, but not stopped by any means, because there is still the privately funded lines

[Defunct]

Welcome to being thrown under the bus.

[PlaceboStudman]

yeeesh, that metaphor is getting really old. He did not throw anyone under the bus. In fact, this is saving lives, as people are given the option to donate to SCR, or perhaps one day donate to 3rd oparty adoption.

An option I don't know why hasn't been explored....or maybe it has and I missed it

[wanttruth]

Another good post. I agree.