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Ear to the Ground

Stem Cells Are Go

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Posted on Mar 9, 2009
White House / Chuck Kennedy

Barack Obama officially reversed his predecessor’s ban on federally funded stem cell research on Monday, promising to “vigorously support scientists who pursue this research.” The president also said his White House would restore “scientific integrity to government decision making.” Good luck with that.

White House:

Moments ago President Obama marked a monumental moment for hope with an audience of Nobel Laureates, leaders of the faith community, and patient advocates.
“Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.”

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By vancemack, March 10 at 10:03 am #

Big pharm doesnt typically do that kind of research because…oh yeah….they are pharmaceuticals, not geneticists. However there are many private labs AND universities using private AND federal funding doing research already. This again is such a much ado about nothing issue…there was no ban on research…the ONLY ban was on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Private, state, university funding was all already legal and happening.

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By ender, March 10 at 9:38 am #

Our pharmaceutical companies have not made ‘break through’ discoveries in yrs.  Most of those have come from universities.  The pharaceuticals are more interested in patentable reformulations of existing drugs, or me toos, and finding cures is not even part of their business plan.

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By vancemack, March 10 at 1:33 am #

Just be clear. There was NO ban. The only ban was on FEDERAL FUNDING of embryonic stem cell research. Private researchers have been free to conduct research. This just puts the pork back in university research funding…which…has produced…what again? Oh…but dont worry..we just keep writing them checks baby. Mo money money mo money…cuz THATS really ALL that this has ever been about.

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By VillageElder, March 9 at 7:29 pm #

The ban was on embryonic stem cell research.  A ban that was put in place as a sop for the religious far right who with the repugs have conspired to make matters of science be viewed as a difference of opinion. 

Through the use of non-scientists and religo-political hacks and true believers in policy and administrative positions in the FDA, environmental agencies and etc, our nation has suffered a great setback in scientific competitiveness with the rest of the world.  Substituting cultus dogma for reason and to deny objectively verifiable data for political gain is immoral.

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By Carol A, March 9 at 7:18 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

At last, a President who puts science ahead of ideaology. Leftover embryonic stem cells that would have been destroyed anyway can be used to advance medical research. Tax dollars should be spent to find cures for spinal chord injuries, Alzheimers, diabetes, or other illnesses that burden our citizens and burden healthcare costs. G.W. Bush spent plenty on African healthcare and abstinace education, expenditure is not the issue. The U.S. has spent millions for medical reseach and programs to screen and immunize against polio, TB, HIV and other devastating injuries and illnesses. Now we can finally begin to join second millenium science and make up for the last 8 years of Bush’s political pandering to his neo-con base.

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By vancemack, March 9 at 5:23 pm #

Translation…We are going to raise your taxes and give more money to the universities.

There has never been a ban on stem cell funding or research. The ban was only on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research and the creation of new lines of embryos. Scientists and universities were free to research on their own til their hearts content.

Spend spend spend!!!

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