FRC Disappointed at Federal Ruling to Continue Funding Embryo Research

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council was disappointed following today's decision by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to rule in favor of the Obama administration and dismiss the claims challenging current National Institutes of Health guidelines that allow taxpayer funding of human embryonic stem cell research.

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Judge Lamberth originally ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the case, in a preliminary injunction in August 2010 that halted taxpayer dollars for embryonic stem cell research. An Appeals Court placed a hold on the injunction in September 2010, and vacated the injunction in April 2011 in a 2-1 split decision.  In today's opinion, Judge Lamberth noted that the April split decision by the Appeals Court tied his hands in terms of ruling on the main lawsuit.

Of the decision Dr. David Prentice, Family Research Council's Senior Fellow for Life Sciences, said:

"It's disappointing that Judge Lamberth had to reverse his earlier decision and rule in favor of the Obama administration, but as he noted today's ruling was constrained by the previous Appellate Court split decision.  This is unfortunate, as this allows the flow of taxpayer funds to continue for this unethical, scientifically unworthy embryonic stem cell research.  This is also a sad day for patients, because it is not embryonic stem cells, but only adult stem cells that are currently treating patients and offering real hope for the future.  The hope is that upon appeal, the straightforward meaning of the federal funding statute will prevail, as opposed to the 'linguistic jujitsu' that allows taxpayer funding of wasteful and destructive human embryonic stem cell research."

SOURCE Family Research Council