Newspaper Editorials React To Stem Cell Policy Reversal

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 27 Aug 2010 - 4:00 PDT

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Newspapers across the country published editorials reacting to U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth's recent ruling challenging the legality of the Obama administration's guidelines allowing federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Summaries of the editorials appear below.

~ Boston Globe: "Stung by a federal court ruling that has frozen federal support for research with embryonic stem cells, President Obama should move on three fronts: in court, in Congress, and in the public square," the editorial states. It continues, "To minimize disruption in laboratories all over the country, the Obama administration should work to reverse Lamberth's ruling as quickly as possible." In addition, "the president should also use this moment to rally voters and Congress to clarify" the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which bars the use of federal money for research that destroys embryos. It concludes, "Few families have been left untouched by a disease that could be the subject of stem cell research. This research should not become another occasion for congressional gridlock. Obama needs to push his case strongly, and the public will respond" (Boston Globe, 8/26).

~ Los Angeles Times: The ruling "could not only jeopardize American medical science but the health of millions of patients worldwide," the editorial states. It continues that the ruling "omits the fact that embryonic stem cells have great promise in treating diseases for which there is otherwise little hope" and "will seriously delay the quest for cures" (Los Angeles Times, 8/26).

~ San Francisco Chronicle: The Obama administration rightly is "planning an appeal" to Lamberth's ruling, but Congress should "easily clarify things by simply passing a stem cell funding bill," the editorial states. It concludes, "Congress should move quickly to ensure that this potentially valuable research can continue" (San Francisco Chronicle, 8/26).

~ Washington Post: The judge's ruling is "unnecessarily disruptive, creating uncertainty about the future of one of the most promising lines of research in recent memory," the editorial states. It continues that the judge's action "points out the need for Congress to clarify the rules that govern this scientifically important and morally delicate endeavor." It concludes, "Congress must step in promptly to articulate clear and principled rules to govern stem cell research" (Washington Post, 8/26).

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