It is rare to have a federal official stand up to administration policy like this:
A senior U.S. National Institutes of Health official said on Friday President George W. Bush's limits on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research have blocked potential medical breakthroughs.
Reuters
Kudos to Story Landis, director of the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, for telling it like it is.
Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts asked Landis during a Senate hearing to assess the impact of Bush's restrictions, imposed in August 2001.
"We are missing out on possible breakthroughs," Landis responded.
snip ...
Landis said there is a "compelling need to pursue both embryonic and non-embryonic stem cell research," and no one can predict which might lead to cures.
"Therefore, NIH should support research on stem cells from both embryonic and other sources," Landis said.
"Science works best when scientists can pursue all avenues of research," Landis said. "If the cure for Parkinson's disease or juvenile diabetes lay behind one of four doors, wouldn't you want the option to open all four doors at once instead of one door?"
It appears the new Congress has bucked up some administration officials enough to take a stand against irrational policies.
Even a wingnut like Sen. Orrin Hatch is outraged:
Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who opposes abortion but supports embryonic stem cell research, held up a pair of handcuffs from "one of my Secret Service buddies" to make the point that Bush's policy binds scientists' hands.