U.S. Court Allows Stem Cell Research to Continue

(AP)  A federal appeals court on Thursday permitted U.S. government funding of embryonic stem cell research to proceed for now, while it considers a judge's ruling that had temporarily shut off the funds.

Thursday's temporary court action may be a legal reprieve but not one for laboratories. The National Institutes of Health has suspended work to fund new research projects on embryonic stem cells, and while NIH did not immediately comment, observers say the scientific process needed to restart is unlikely before a final court decision.

"No way this would be a scientific reprieve," said Patrick Clemins of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

While scientists who already have received taxpayer money for stem cell experiments can continue their work until their dollars run out, 22 projects that were due to get yearly checks in September were told they'd have to find other money to continue their work. Most researchers do have multiple sources of funding, and are working now to separate what they can and cannot do, Clemins said.

The government is asking the appeals court in Washington to strike down a preliminary order by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth blocking federal funding for some stem cell research.

The three-member appeals panel says it is suspending Lamberth's ruling for now. The appeals judges say they want more time to deal with issues in the government's appeal.

Lamberth rejected the administration's request to let funding continue while it pursues an appeal of his order.

The appeals court said the purpose of its administrative stay was to give the judges sufficient opportunity to consider the merits of the Justice Department's emergency motion which seeks to suspend Lamberth's ruling.

Thursday's move "should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits" of the Justice Department's motion, the appeals judges said in their three-paragraph order.

Lisa Hughes, president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, said her organization is very pleased that the appeals court has taken the step.

"It is crucial that federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research be restored permanently and this stay is a step in that direction," Hughes said in a statement. "While this issue continues to be argued in the courts, we call on Congress to move swiftly to resolve this issue and secure the future of this important biomedical research."

Medical researchers value stem cells because they are master cells that can turn into any tissue of the body. Research eventually could lead to cures for spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease and other ailments.

[marker61]

As a life long sufferer of a deadly disease, having my life destroyed is not easy to take but ask yourself some real-world questions. Someone you love, such as your kids, are sick and dying. Researchers are trying to come up with a cure when a religious fanatic interferes with the research by favoring an embryo over a living breathing human being. Would this make you angry? Would you favor the embryo? If you choose the embryo over your loved one, you are mentally sick. Religion has captured your mind. In the future, fanatics will be left behind like those who murdered doctor Tillman, worshiped the Roman Gods, or the Myan Sun God. Amazing cures will come along and the human race will be better for it when we rid society of fanatics.

[Cyber998]

In a hundred years time people will look back at medicine prior to stem cell discoveries like we look back at medicine prior to antibiotics. Embryonic stem cells in particular present potential to completely revolutionize human understanding and treatment of human disease.

[4merGOPr]

The Republican activist Judge just confimed my conversion from the darkside.

[Myopinion046]

Adult or embryonic stem cells CBS????? I have no problem with adult stem cell research, but I refuse to support embronic stem cells.

[tilliesmom2]

This is exactly my stance, based on what I know now. I've read that there is no longer a need to use aborted fetal tissue because adult stem cells can now be used. I am opposed to all fetal research. Years ago, I researched the fetal research issue, and was horrified to read that aborted babies would be frozen while still alive, crying out in pain. It disturbed the nurses greatly, as it still disturbs me.

[superdem1]

If you elect Republicans, you can kiss the cures goodbye. Thousands will suffer and die so that imaginary babies no one wants will be SAVED. And, of course, the economy will go back into the tailspin it was in before Obama was elected, there is that, too. People wake up to the Republican madness !

[erasmus111]

by superdem1 September 9, 2010 3:48 PM EDT
If you elect Republicans, you can kiss the cures goodbye.


Yes, and you can look forward to the corruption continuing. Paying through the nose again for your health care. Worrying about the insurance companies backing out of paying, and losing everything you own.

[baileyccc]

This is a Great Decision and a step away from the synthetic poisoning of our citizens with drugs that are unnatural for the human body and they attack our liver and kidney's. Medicine is going to make a big change this century and Big Pharma will fight it with their hundreds of billions of dollars war chest. Here's opening the good for mankind will be victorious. posted by baileyccc

[Simifanene]

Stem cell's will lead to teenage heart muscle for the old, new kidney's for the dying, spinal chord regenration for the paralysed and many other cures. Imagine if the trillions we've spent on his imaginary search, destroy and rebuild was spent on stem cell reasearch and a cure for most of man kinds diseases was found? It's a gift from God. Accept the gift and praise his name.

[lancesackless]

Adult stem cells = yes
Embryonic = no.

Why is this so hard to understand for both sides...this ain't Burger King...you have to find some common ground instead of fighting like immature school children...

[koko98-2009]

Thank godness the appeals court was able to reign in this activist Republican judge.