11th March, 2009

CHRIS ERLINGER

Ecumenical News International

"Right to Life" advocates have criticised US President Barack Obama's decision to reverse policies of the administration of George W. Bush that limited federal funding for stem cell research.

"It is a sad day when the federal government will fund research that exploits living members of the human species as raw material for research," Douglas Johnson, a spokesperson for the National Right to Life Committee, said in a statement.

He was speaking about Obama's decision to overturn policies of the previous administration and to expand stem cell research, announced at a 9th March ceremony at the White House.

A statement on the committee's Web site attacked the presidential announcement with the headline, "Obama opens door to human embryo farms."

President Obama said, however, his administration's policy would be made by "scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology", referring to criticism of the Bush administration by scientists opposed to a policy said to needlessly limit scientific research in the name of morality.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairperson of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, characterised Obama's decision as "a sad victory of politics over science and ethics".

Cardinal Rigali said, "This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested...It also disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life."

In announcing the decision, President Obama said, "Many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about, or strongly oppose, this research. I understand their concerns, and we must respect their point of view."

President Obama was seen as taking a swipe at the policy of his predecessor when he said, "In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent."

The president said, "As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research, and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."

Some scientists believe stem cells might unlock secrets to cure or better treat such conditions as diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Praise from President Obama's decision came from US congressional leaders, scientists and family members of those who have suffered from such diseases and conditions. Among them was Nancy Reagan, the former First Lady and widow of the late president Ronald Reagan, a member of the Republican Party, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

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