Monday, March 09, 2009

Lifting the ban on embryonic stem cells: Why let ethics stand in the way of science?

Obama vowed today that science policy would no longer be determined by politics, at which point he fulfilled a campaign promise by lifting of the ban on federally funding for embryonic stem cells by signing an executive order.

During the signing ceremony, the President paid tribute to the late actor Christopher Reeve, whose fall off of a horse could, apparently, have been prevented by cannibalizing human embryos.

Obama took several pot shots at Bush administration science policies, which took the misguided view that science should be held to ethical standards protecting the integrity of human life. "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion," he said of his decision, "and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient."

Dr. Mengele, call your office.

No comments: