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Ethical human stem cells?Government approves first stem cell lines, but critics question how ethicalPeter Marcus, DDN Staff WriterThursday, December 3, 2009 | |
Congresswoman Diana DeGette yesterday cheered government approval of the first 13 batches of human embryonic stem cells, while critics say there is nothing “ethical” about the research.
The batches, known as lines, were approved because they met strict ethical restrictions, according to researchers with the National Institutes of Health. For example, the cells were required to have been made using an embryo donated from leftovers at fertility clinics, and parents must have signed detailed consent forms.
The research was only possible because President Obama in March lifted restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research imposed by former President George W. Bush.
The ease in restrictions has allowed government researchers to use federal funds to work with cells that others have made. The researchers are still not allowed to use federal money to make the stem cells, which require destruction of a human embryo.
Scientists hope to use the stem cells to grow new tissue and repair damage, which could lead to curing disease. DeGette supports the drive.
In a joint statement issued with Congressman Michael Castle, R-Del., the chief architects of the stem cell research legislation, DeGette and Castle called it a “new day for stem cell research.”
“We look forward to working with our colleagues in Congress next year in gathering a bipartisan, bicameral consensus for finally signing into law legislation to promote the federal funding of all scientifically worthy stem cell research, so worthwhile research cannot be blocked by a future administration.”
Another 96 lines are under consideration and more approvals are expected in the coming days, said government researchers.
Keith Mason, lead proponent of a pro-life Colorado ballot initiative, said he doesn’t find the research to be “ethical” because there’s always alternatives for leftover embryos. He points to the Snowflakes Frozen Embryo Adoption Program, a program by California-based Nightlight Christian Adoptions. The program seeks homes for frozen embryos.
One such story is 6-year-old Washington girl Elisha Lancaster. She spent four years in a freezer as an embryo before being shipped to Maria Lancaster as a two-cell embryo. Opponents of embryonic stem cell research use Lancaster’s story as an example that there are alternatives out there for abandoned embryos.
“She was a person the four years she spent in the freezer, she was a person in Maria’s womb, and she is a person now,” states Personhood USA, Mason’s Arvada-based pro-life organization, which has been pushing pro-life ballot initiatives across the country.
“These kids that they’re saying are ethically being destroyed with our federal tax dollars could be adopted É and they should be,” said Mason. “Their standard of ethics is broken.”
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