DC Appeals Court Allows Federal Funding of Unethical Embryonic Stem Cell Research

 As court cases go, there are many steps in the process of a court challenge.  Drs. James Sherley and Theresa Deisher, two adult stem cell researchers, asked a U.S. District Court judge last year to prohibit the Obama administration from funding embryonic stem cell research.. Their claim is that the Obama administration’s order to use taxpayer dollars to destroy human embryos and conduct the research is in violation of the Dickey-Wicker amendment which prohibits such funding, and discriminates against adult stem cell researchers.

In August, 2010, U.S. District Judge Royce Lambeth agreed with Sherley and Deisher and issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the federal government from funding embryonic stem cell research.   The Obama administration asked the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to stay the Lambeth preliminary injunction.   Late last week, by a 2-1 vote, the Appeals Court vacated the preliminary injunction and taxpayer funding can go forward.   Judge Lambeth has yet to issue a decision on the merits of the original lawsuit.

Wisconsin Right to Life will keep you updated on this important case as it winds through the court system.  You can read the Court of Appeals opinion and dissent here.

Barbara Lyons