President Barack Obama's executive order reversing the Bush administration's restrictions on government-funded stem cell research drew cheers from several diabetes organizations.
Under the previous policy, government funding for embryonic stem cell research was limited to studies using only the few stem cell lines that were in existence in August 2001, when then-President George W. Bush announced the policy. President Obama's executive order, which he signed in March, lifts those restrictions and allows funded research to include embryonic stem cell lines created after that date. However, the order does not lift a current ban on using federal funds to create stem cell lines if the creation involves destruction of human embryos. Federal policy does not affect privately funded stem cell research.
President Obama noted at the signing ceremony that “many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about, or strongly oppose, [embryonic stem cell] research. I understand their concerns, and we must respect their point of view.”
But he added that “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.
“After much discussion, debate and reflection, the proper course has become clear,” he said. “The majority of Americans—from across the political spectrum, and of all backgrounds and beliefs—have come to a consensus that we should pursue this research. … That is a conclusion with which I agree. That is why I am signing this executive order and why I hope Congress will act on a bipartisan basis to provide further support for this research.”
The president said that the government “will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse. And we will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction.”
The American Diabetes Association applauded the executive order. “The ethical use of stem cell research holds the promise of accelerating medical advancements in many fields,” Dr. R. Paul Robertson, the association's president for medicine and science, said in a statement. “This brings hope to the nearly 24 million American adults and children with diabetes who face its many complications, including heart disease, amputation, and blindness.”
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) also praised the move. “We're very grateful to President Obama for setting in place a policy to fully explore this promising field of science,” foundation president and CEO Dr. Alan Lewis said in a statement.
JDRF international chairman Mary Tyler Moore agreed. The order “is a strong signal to patients, scientists, and the nation that we have the government's full support to pursue ethical research that may accelerate progress to new treatments and possible cures for diabetes,” she said.
Lawrence Tabak, Ph.D., acting deputy director of the National Institutes of Health, also expressed support for the executive order. “Researchers will now be able to pursue new knowledge about human development, regenerative medicine, and the origins of many of our most devastating diseases,” he said in a teleconference. “NIH will do its part to implement new policy and develop guidelines as expeditiously as possible to make sure the best science is funded and the research is conducted in a responsible manner.”
But Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical Association, in Bristol, Tenn., cited problems with embryonic stem cell research. First, there is a moral issue: “We understand that embryos are human beings. Every one of us was an embryo,” he said. “When you destroy an embryo, you destroy a distinct human being.” Also, the prospects for embryonic stem cell research have been overblown, he continued. “We know that embryonic stem cells are difficult to culture and to control. … Even people in this field say that if treatment is going to come out of this, it's probably 20 years away.”