Stem Cell Research and Scientific Integrity

Today Obama signed an Executive Order lifting the ban on embryonic stem cell research and issued a Presidential Memorandum regarding increased scientific integrity in research. Embryonic stem cells can morph into any type of cell, the moral concern is that an embryo is life and shouldn't be used. This entry is a response to http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/A-debt-of-gratitude-to-so-many-tireless-advocates/ and will cover brirfly the morality of stem cell research, the Executive Order, and the Presidential Memorandum.

Morality
A primary source of embryos used are from embryos created for in vitro, where more eggs than are needed are available. Unfortunately, while research exists trying to extract stem cells without destroying the embryo, this technique is not yet viable. Pro-lifers believe that the destruction of an embryo is a breach of the sanctity of life. Following that thought process, they may see this destruction of an embryo as murder. Murder of the life that may have been if it had not been destroyed for scientific purpose. On the other side of the religious debate are those that feel that God charges us to care and endeavor to help others.

Me? I believe knowledge is a gift from God. I believe that we should be constantly vigilant in how we use that knowledge. In this instance, while the embryo could become life, the embryo isn't life yet. The embryo requires fertilization. Whether the woman chose to have those embryos fertilized through in vitro or if the woman chose to fertilize the egg the old-fashioned way, either way the embryo was fertilized through an active choice. In this instance, the choice is not to utilize for life but to learn about life. I don't see how this violates God's law.

The Executive Order - Breaking it Down
Basically, the Executive Orders says that we want to help people with disabling diseases and conditions, so let's not limit our ability to do research that may help people. So, let's use public funds to support embryonic stem cell research, which hasn't been allowed under George W. Bush for moral reasons. Obama allows public funding to be used. Don't worry though, the NIH will only be supporting responsibly conducted research that is scienficically worthy. What does that mean? Well, we will have to wait to find out since the Secretary fo Health and Human Services has 120 days to publish new guidance talking about what is responsible embryonic stem cell research.

Anyway, for me, once the moral issue has been resolved, I don't have a problem with public funding of scientific research.

The Presidential Memorandum - Breaking It Down
The Presidential Memorandum recognizes that science must be pursued with integrity and charges the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with recommending for Presidential action principles to ensure Executive branch integrity surrounding scientific research, selection of candidates, whistleblower protections, guidelines for each agency to develop their own rules, credibility of science in policy decisions, increased transparency of findings.

Ahhh....I eagerly await the promulgation of more regulations. I am also interested in the whole transparency of scientific studies used in policy decisions. This could have some substantial reprecussions for the EPA, FDA and HHS, just off the top. I know, it is shocking to consider that we might actual be able to trace the origin and reasoning behind regulations. I have always personally imagined an attorney fresh from law school sitting in a cubicle made out of bankers boxers finally just making a decision and putting pen to paper or foot to ass, whatever.