FRC Encouraged by Preliminary Injunction to Stop Taxpayer Funds for Unethical, Unsafe Embryo Research

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Aug 23, 2010, 05:40 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council President Tony Perkins applauded today's preliminary injunction that for now stops taxpayer funded embryonic stem cell research. Judge Royce Lamberth noted that the imposition of an injunction required that those challenging the government's funding demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success on the merits for their arguments. Apparently, they succeeded.

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The following is Perkins' statement:

"Today's ruling is a stinging rebuke to the Obama Administration and its attempt to circumvent sound science and federal law, which clearly prohibits federal funding for research that involves the destruction of human embryos. The Court recognized that since the law is unambiguous, so must be its ruling.

"The Court noted, 'Embryonic stem cell (ESC) research necessarily depends upon the destruction of a human embryo,' and then it concluded that funding such research violates existing law. Embryonic stem cell research will not advance medical treatments or adult stem cell research, which is already benefiting thousands of patients for dozens of conditions.

"Embryonic stem cell research is irresponsible and scientifically unworthy. When drafting their guidelines, the NIH ignored the majority of public input, including FRC's own extensive comments. The NIH guidelines implemented a plan that forced taxpayers to foot the bill for research that is human embryo destructive.

"Rather than fund additional embryo-destructive research, the government should focus its resources on adult stem cells that are already improving health and saving the lives of patients with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury and many other conditions. There is great potential in this country for stem cell research and treatments for many diseases, while maintaining ethical standards."

SOURCE Family Research Council