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Prominent Stem Cell Researcher Praised By Bush Rips White House's Stem Cell Policies Last month, University of Wisconsin professor James Thomson - the first scientist to successfully isolate embryonic stem cells - and his colleagues published a paper in Science Magazine stating that human skin cells could be "reprogrammed" into embryonic stem cells. President Bush has refused to directly fund embryonic stem cell research, twice vetoing such legislation. The White House was therefore quick to herald Thomson's work, claiming it vindicated Bush's position: President Bush is very pleased to see the important advances in ethical stem cell research reported in scientific journals today. By avoiding techniques that destroy life, while vigorously supporting alternative approaches, President Bush is encouraging scientific advancement within ethical boundaries. Right-wing columnist Charles Krauthammer declared, "The verdict is clear: Rarely has a president - so vilified for a moral stance - been so thoroughly vindicated." "An official of one group fiercely opposed to destroying embryos said the "scientists should thank 'pro-life voices' for pushing them to find alternatives." But Thomson and American Association for the Advancement of Science President Alan Leshner could care less about the administration's approval. In a Washington Post op-ed today, the duo slams the right-wing response to their work, stating that the Bush administration's restrictive stem cell policies are "counter to both scientific and public opinion" and are inhibiting potential treatments: At a time when nearly 60 percent of Americans support human embryonic stem cell research, U.S. stem cell policy runs counter to both scientific and public opinion. President Bush's repeated veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which has twice passed the House and Senate with votes from Republicans and Democrats alike, further ignores the will of the American people. [.] [U]nder the policy President Bush outlined on Aug. 9, 2001, at most 21 stem cell lines derived from embryos before that date are eligible for federal funding. American innovation in the field thus faces inherent limitations. Even more significant, the stigma resulting from the policy surely has discouraged some talented young Americans from pursuing stem cell research. As Science Progress noted, the skin cell research could not have been accomplished without the knowledge from prior embryonic stem cell research. Furthermore, Thomson and Leshner emphasized that it "remains to be seen whether reprogrammed skin cells will differ in significant ways from embryonic stem cells.it's too early to say we're certain." In June, then-White House spokesperson Tony Snow said Bush's veto of stem cell research was evidence of him "putting science before ideology." In reality, the scientific community - including Bush's own science advisers - thinks the opposite. Filed under: Stem Cells, Science Posted by Satyam at 9:00 pm Bushies need the fundie vote. So they go with ignorance. Comment by ForTruth - December 3, 2007 @ 9:09 pm I cover this in a more tongue-into-cheek manner over at my blog. Cheers, Comment by zuch - December 3, 2007 @ 9:19 pm the first cure we must find is the one for conservatism. Comment by joe cantwell - December 3, 2007 @ 9:22 pm I beg to differ, joe cantwell. The first cure we must find is the one for fear. Comment by Zooey - December 3, 2007 @ 9:26 pm The first cure we must find is the one for fear. Comment by Zooey - December 3, 2007 @ 9:26 pm i don't grok the difference. Comment by Lefty Patriot - December 3, 2007 @ 9:28 pm i don't grok the difference. Comment by Lefty Patriot - December 3, 2007 @ 9:28 pm Most conservatives live in fear, but not all who live in fear are conservatives. Comment by Zooey - December 3, 2007 @ 9:32 pm Conservatives only care about 'children' before they're born. After? They don't give two shits if it's not theirs. Comment by Namtillaku - December 3, 2007 @ 9:34 pm Most conservatives live in fear, but not all who live in fear are conservatives. Comment by Zooey - December 3, 2007 @ 9:32 pm you sound like that guy from "mystery men". (remember? ben stiller comedy?) Comment by joe cantwell - December 3, 2007 @ 9:35 pm you sound like that guy from "mystery men". (remember? ben stiller comedy?) Comment by joe cantwell - December 3, 2007 @ 9:35 pm Sorry, I gave up tv long ago. I hope that's a compliment. :-) Comment by Zooey - December 3, 2007 @ 9:37 pm Jeez, what an ingrate! Doesn't this uneducated scientist realize that he never would have made his discovery if the all wise and knowing pResident Bush hadn't impeded his research? He probably believes in evolution and global warming as well. Where do these scientists get the idea that they know more than politicians? Comment by Snowball - December 3, 2007 @ 9:46 pm It's only a matter of time before he starts receiving death threats from reich-wingers. Comment by Dr. Matt - December 3, 2007 @ 9:50 pm The "skin based stem cell" is still a LONG ways off as a viable treatment. Had embryonic stem cell research had been supported, we would be YEARS into testing and research for cures for some of the most debilitating diseases. Instead, we are all going to have to wait years. maybe decades. longer before this new treatment proves fruitful. IF it works at all. How many will die in the meantine Pro-LIFE'ers? Comment by Mugsy - December 3, 2007 @ 10:30 pm Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn