July 28th, 2011

The Washington Post reports:

A U.S. judge Wednesday upheld the government rules that allow federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research that might lead to cures for deadly diseases affecting millions of Americans.

In a victory for the Obama administration, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the National Institutes of Health guidelines on such research do not violate a 1996 federal law, and he dismissed a legal challenge to the funding.

Lamberth had halted funding of the research a year ago. But he was reversed in a ruling by a U.S appeals court in April. His latest decision was mostly based on the appeals court’s reasoning and conclusions.

Opponents of human embryonic stem cell research, including many religious conservatives, have argued that it is unacceptable because it destroys human embryos.

Scientists hope to be able to use stem cells to find treatments for spinal cord injuries, cancer, diabetes and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Shortly after taking office in 2009, President Obama expanded federal funding for research involving human embryonic stem cells in hopes that it would lead to cures for diseases.

For the rest of the story, go to The Washington Post