What editorial writers are saying about stem cell research

President Obama has lifted restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.

Other Views on Medical News. March 30, 2009.

The action sparked hope among researchers seeking cures for major diseases. But opponents consider reversal of President Bush's ban immoral. Here's a sample of what the nation's media had to say.

Stem-cell oversell

Unfortunately, the use of embryonic stem cells is inextricably tied to the question of abortion. To those who believe that human life begins at the moment of conception, the creation of embryos for the sole purpose of harvesting stem cells from them and destroying them is morally questionable.

Orange County (Calif.) Register, March 10

Sound science

Many people oppose such research because they fear it destroys the embryo, which they consider to be a human being, even though federal funding will only go to research on cells that have already been extracted from the embryo, typically ones that fertility clinics would otherwise discard. In a carefully calibrated speech, Obama acknowledged the "difficult and delicate balance" of reconciling conflicting views, but said "the potential it offers is great and with proper guidelines and strict oversight, the perils can be avoided."

Houston Chronicle, March 13

Toward a rational stem cell policy

Obama's order opens the door, just a bit, toward a more rational policy, by allowing the federal government to finance research on stem cell lines created after 2001. That move should give scientists more leeway in working with stem cells that have certain characteristics, such as genetic markers for certain diseases.

Sacramento (Calif.) Bee, March 11

Hoping for medical miracles

Over the past eight years, the research moved into private labs or overseas, where some laboratories made wildly overstated claims of their progress. In a sense, the stem-cell debate is a stalking horse for a much more serious issue -- human cloning. Obama called such cloning "dangerous, profoundly wrong" with "no place in our society, or any society."

Naples (Fla.) Daily News, March 9

A return to science

Another objection to embryonic research is that progress has been made using adult stem cells, which do not require the destruction of embryos. While that field holds promise, many scientists agree that research should occur using both strategies. To close one avenue is to shut off a field of vast potential without knowing the possible results.

Philadelphia Inquirer, March 10

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