New Stem Cell Research Rules Drafted

Obama Administration Offers New Guidelines For Taxpayer-Supported Studies

(CBS/AP)  Scientists seeking U.S. taxpayer money for embryonic stem cell research under President Barack Obama's new plan must use cells originally culled from fertility clinic embryos that otherwise would be thrown away.

That is the word from the National Institutes of Health, which is issuing draft guidelines Friday on steps scientists must take.

The guidelines rule out more controversial research - using stem cells taken from embryos created just for science - in favor of a limit with broad congressional support.

The public gets a month to comment on the guidelines before final rules are issued by early July.

Last month President Obama signed an executive order expected to set in motion increased research that supporters believe could uncover cures for serious ailments from diabetes and Parkinson's disease to paralysis.

Mr. Obama said he would allow 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.

The executive order reversed former President George W. Bush's policy on stem cell research by undoing a 2001 directive banning the use of federal funding for research using stem lines created after that date.

In cutting off federally-funded research, Mr. Bush argued that he was defending human life because days-old human embryos - typically from fertility clinics and already destined for destruction - are destroyed to create the stem cell lines.

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.

[oftencensord]

oftencensord: good post. another concern would be that they do something the destroys our plant biodeversity
Posted by honestabe8 at 6:18 AM : Apr 18, 2009

the Bee population worldwide has almost been wiped out from sudden colony collapse... You think it might have something to do with the pollen from genetically modified plants ? Who is on the "front lines" of the by products of genetically modified plants? Who would know better than the bees who spread it around ! Did scientist consider the consequences of spreading genetically altered pollen around the world, or did they just do it because they could!

I love those scientist trying to better our lives. Fix one problem, create 10 more that are worse. but hey, they are "advancing science" .

[stn_sage]

While I am not a biologist and don't claim to be, my understanding is sufficient to ask the question of pro-lifers, since when has an unfertilized, "waste" stem cell constituted human life?!!

As this is by definition, an impossible situation, it is a standard argument that pro-lifers promulgate over and over again! It simply isn't the case! Perhaps, this is why so many people don't take you or your position seriously!

On the other hand, if these waste stem cells can be used to develop cures for diseases, common sense---if not compassion for the sick and dying---suggests that they should be!

Also, we need to re-establish America as a leader in modern medicine instead of a follower as occurred under the previous administration.

[j_mcdonald-2009]

mcthreeteeth: Shut up. There is no "Easter Season" doofus.

Actually, according to Bede's "De temporum ratione" from the 8th century, which seems to be the first reference to Easter, it DOES refer to a season: "Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated "Paschal month", and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance."

We now return you to the regularly scheduled inanity...

[butterfly462]

Liberals need to make up their minds where they stand on stealing other people's money.
Posted by poeticaintit at 6:04 PM : Apr 17, 2009

Stealing is against the law. Nobody wants to steal your money. Don't pay your taxes if you don't want America to suceed. We will do it without you.

[butterfly462]

Stem cell research all over the world has only been succesfull with adult stem cells, the US isn't the only country in the world doing the research. Japan was one of the first to quit using embryonic cells because they were getting better results with adult cells.
Just another liberal money scam on the American people.
Posted by Aldymac at 4:11 PM : Apr 17, 2009

Maybe an American scientist can find something new. Besides these embryos would be destroyed otherwise. Any person who has a moral objection to using embryos for research can decide to donate their embryos to embryo adoption centers or have them destroyed. This decision is only made by those who are the owners of the frozen emryos. Before they had three options, use them for future children, embryo adoption, or desroy them, now they have one more option, research. It's their choice not yours.

[honestabe8]

apparently, to some people's way of thinking, you become "moral" by adopting a particular POLITICIAL position

[honestabe8]

oftencensord: good post. another concern would be that they do something the destroys our plant biodeversity

[oftencensord]

For those of us who believe in "organics" and avoid eating genetically modified foods, and worry that these same scientists who Obama places so much faith in, are going to destroy the world's ability to grow food, this is a bad path to follow ! Science fiction writers have already tossed out out many apocalyptic scenarios of unforeseen, unattended consequences.

We are supposed to have confidence in the same US Government that gave us the atom bomb, nerve gas, weapons grade anthrax and small pox, agent orange, depleted uranium bullets, and DDT. Lets hope the research does not yield a new weapon, or untreatable virus.

[honestabe8]

enjoylife63: so, now you know what is in "liberals" minds. gosh, you are a blowhard.

[CarlosDMB]

I think is wonderful that stem cell research is allowed to take this step, the oportunity for development is now ,virtualy, limitless. Lots of persons have now a chance to a better life quality.
It's a shame, though, that so many people are against it before actualy being informed of what it really is.
Be thankful, by the way, that they take the time to imform you people of what the goberment is doing wiht your taxes, here in Mexico we aren't so lucky.

[Aldymac]

I've never listened to Limbuagh, I don't have any degree, I listen to a number of medias including cbs, once you cut the PC you are close to the truth. How do you know you are hearing the truth? The mainstream media imitates the truth in everything they report, sometimes something slips through and when you can find another piece with the same thing it doesn't take long till you can find the rest of the story . Then you look into the scientific news that doesn't smack of MSM and you can find people who are not being paid to go along with the GW crowd and you can find scientists who are doing the real research and giving the answeres that weren't paid for by spiecial interests. Just people who are looking for truth, You know what that is? liberals call it "relative", it's something they can live with and not feel guilty over what they do to people.

[pensacola8-2009]

At one time the Vatican was opposed to vaccinations and blood transfusions when they first appeared. They claimed to be corruptive. Now, it is Stem Cell Research.

Remember, if the Vatican doesn't like it, -- it is the best thing to do to advance civilization forward.

[kansas1946]

Stem cell research all over the world has only been succesfull with adult stem cells, the US isn't the only country in the world doing the research. Japan was one of the first to quit using embryonic cells because they were getting better results with adult cells.
Just another liberal money scam on the American people.
Posted by Aldymac at 4:11 PM : Apr 17, 2009
**************************************

Another graduate of the "Rush Limbaugh School of Scientific Inquiry." Congratulations on your degree.

[kansas1946]

I think this is a very wise approach to this very sensitive subject. His is addressing the most pressing concerns of both the right and the left, and being sensitive to the most contentious area of the debate. The problem with Bush is that he listened to no one, and now we have a president who listens to everyone.

[poeticaintit]

if you don't like the way it is ... go somewhere else ... start your own country ... and fend for yourself as you see fit.

as long as you are willing to take advantage of 'the common' that many before you have funded ... you should just **** with your 'i did it all myself' conservative babble.
Posted by bobnjersey


Ditto....Obama is opening Cuba up again...liberals should taste socialism at its bets. Go....please....

[poeticaintit]

This is and always will be the battle cry of the republicans. "Don't use any of my money for social programs"!!! I don't care how many children die horrible deaths that could be prevented, I won't give one red cent!!!! It's my money, it's my money, it's my money, my money, my money!!!
Posted by iam4honesty

As opposed to the liberal battle cry...your money is our money...your money is our money...how DARE you make more than me...NOT FAIR...WHAH WHAH WHAH...

and you call conservatives whiney.

Since when did it become disgusting to acutally expect people to work for what they want instead of taking what someone else has just because things have to be 'fair'? The Republicans aren't the ones attacking charitable giving by taxing the he11 out of it..that would be....oh yeah...the liberals.

A liberal had the nerve to gripe the other day about Paris inheiriting her parent's money and how she should be taxed under the inheiritance tax because she 'did nothing to earn it'. ***? First we want her money because she didn't earn it...then we want to give it to a whole new bunch of lazy azzes who won't work for it and for sure haven't earned it. Can someone say HYPOCRITICAL????

Liberals need to make up their minds where they stand on stealing other people's money.

[soldat44]

"I bet you'd be singin a different tune if you had MS or parkinsons disease, or one of the many others that is so close to being cured using stem cell research. "

Diverting funds from promising stem cell research to EMBRYONIC stem cell research will result in delays in potential cures for MS and Parkinsons.
Posted by jonesjep at 1:28 PM : Apr 17, 2009

Exactly.

May the Peace of the Risen Lord be with you this Easter Season.

[Aldymac]

Stem cell research all over the world has only been succesfull with adult stem cells, the US isn't the only country in the world doing the research. Japan was one of the first to quit using embryonic cells because they were getting better results with adult cells.
Just another liberal money scam on the American people.

[iam4honesty]

I've always been amazed at the insistance among liberals that others pay for research they find morally reprehensible. If liberals want it so badly, why not make it possible for tax payers to check a box indicating whether or not they want $3 to go towards stem cell research? Why don't they open their own wallets and leave mine alone? Do they not believe in their own cause enough to flip the bill? When I see a cause I want to support, I write a check, I don't hold a gun to a liberal's head and make them support it. What is happening to the notion of personal liberty in this country? Will any of us have any freedom left if liberals have their way?
Posted by hhard at 11:50 AM



This is and always will be the battle cry of the republicans. "Don't use any of my money for social programs"!!! I don't care how many children die horrible deaths that could be prevented, I won't give one red cent!!!! It's my money, it's my money, it's my money, my money, my money!!!

[SusanStoHelit]

No one agrees with everything our tax dollars are spent for - you don't get to pick and choose. One person hates the death penalty, another is a pacifist and thinks tax dollars for our soldiers funds murder, another thinks any money for schools should be paid only by parents, another thinks all medical research is misguided because prayer is all that's needed, and so on and so forth.

Just because you disagree with any of the multitude of programs your tax dollars fund doesn't mean you get to say it shouldn't be funded. But if it's any relief - some of the programs that you agree with funding, your burden on them is shared by others who hate seeing their tax dollars going to something so morally wrong. This applies to anyone. Those who support the military can know that the pacifists also have to pay taxes that will go to it. Those who support stem cells know that the people who oppose it still have to pay their taxes too.

This is good spending - there's a huge number of things we are finding out, particularly in countries where they never had a ban on research, that could improve the quality of life, save lives, and SAVE US MONEY! If you could cure a diabetic (and there has been some signs of success) - you aware of how many hundreds of thousands of dollars per diabetic that would save? Cure a paraplegic - even if you don't think about the human factor - medical care for a lifetime is now not necessary.