Stem-cell decision outrages Vatican and religious conservatives ANNE DAVIESIN WASHINGTON .. March 11, 2009
PRESIDENT Barack Obama's decision to end the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in the US has drawn swift condemnation from the Vatican and galvanised opposition from conservative Republicans.
Honouring an election promise, President Obama announced on Monday that funds would be freed up for stem cell research, reversing a directive put into effect by his predecessor, George Bush, when he took office in 2001.
Mr Obama signed the executive order before a group of scientists and doctors in a ceremony at the White House.
"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," Mr Obama said.
"In this case I believe the two are not inconsistent. 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."
New guidelines will be developed by the National Institutes of Health to ensure that the more liberal scientific environment does not lead to cloning of human embryos.
Mr Obama recalled the efforts of the late actor Christopher Reeve, who, as a paraplegic following an accident, spent many years of his life campaigning for embryonic stem cell research.
"Christopher once told a reporter who was interviewing him: 'If you came back here in 10 years, I expect that I'd walk to the door to greet you.'
"Now, Christopher did not get that chance. But if we pursue this research, maybe one day - maybe not in our lifetime, or even in our children's lifetime - but maybe one day, others like Christopher Reeve might."
Mr Obama's decision, in addition to drawing condemnation from the Vatican, has fired up religious conservatives in the US, who have strong sway over the Republican Party. The Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano criticised the decision, saying that "recognition of personal dignity must be extended to all phases of existence".
The US Catholic Bishops' Conference described Mr Obama's announcement as "a sad victory of politics over science and ethics".
Several conservative religious groups are girding for a political battle, but because the change was made by executive order there is little opportunity to use the legislative process.
One Republican Congressman, Christopher Smith of New Jersey, called Mr Obama "the abortion president".
The Southern Baptist leader Richard Land said Mr Obama had "declared open season on unborn babies".
Mr Land warned that most experts believed the supply of embryos will soon be exhausted by federally funded research demands, and that this will increase pressure to allow embryos to be created by cloning for the sole purpose of harvesting their foetal tissue.
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