Sanctity of Life

Politico: "The Justice Department said Tuesday it will appeal an injunction that temporarily halts federal funding for embryonic stem cell research . . . But [Steve Aden], senior counsel at the anti-abortion Alliance Defense Fund, said the injunction represents a step toward better public policy. Aden, who represents the plaintiffs – two scientists who conduct similar research using adult stem cells – believes they can achieve better medical breakthroughs than researchers who use embryonic stem cells."

Los Angeles Times: "Dr. James L. Sherley and Theresa Deisher, the plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit that threatens to end federal funding for research on human embryonic stem cells, are perhaps better known for their extracurricular activities than for their scientific feats . . . Neither plaintiff is talking to the media, according to [Steven H. Aden], senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which represents them in the suit."

BBC: "The US government will appeal after a US district court issued a temporary injunction blocking plans by the Obama administration to increase funding for human embryonic stem cell research . . . The suit, which was also backed by Christian groups including the Alliance Defense Fund, is against the National Institutes of Health (NIH)."

CBC News (AP): A U.S. court ruling that undercut federally funded embryonic stem cell research will be quickly appealed, the Obama administration declared Tuesday . . . However, the ruling drew praise from the Alliance Defense Fund, a group of Christian attorneys who helped with the lawsuit filed by two researchers against the administration rules. 'The American people should not be forced to pay for experiments — prohibited by federal law — that destroy human life,' said [Steven Aden], the group's senior legal counsel."

NPR: "However, the ruling drew praise from the Alliance Defense Fund, a group of Christian attorneys who helped with the lawsuit filed by two researchers against the administration rules. 'The American people should not be forced to pay for experiments — prohibited by federal law — that destroy human life. The court is simply enforcing an existing law passed by Congress that prevents Americans from paying another penny for needless research on human embryos,' said [Steven H. Aden], the group's senior legal counsel."

Tom Strode reports at Baptist Press: "[Steven Aden], senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said in a written release, 'The American people should not be forced to pay for experiments -- prohibited by federal law -- that destroy human life. The court is simply enforcing an existing law passed by Congress that prevents Americans from paying another penny for needless research on human embryos. No one should be allowed to decide that an innocent life is worthless.'"

Transcript from NPR News, All Things Considered: "Steven Aden is the lawyer for the plaintiffs in the case. Mr. STEVEN ADEN (Senior Legal Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund): 'He, in essence, said that Congress intended much more in passing the Dickey-Wicker Amendment than an arcane interpretation that says as long as the taxpayer dollars did not specifically go for the destruction of the embryo, it's okay.'"

Think Progress: "[Y]esterday’s decision did not occur in a vacuum. It is the product of many right-wing activists working very, very hard for a very long time . . . as Michael Tomasky explains in the Guardian . . . 'The plaintiff Alliance Defense Fund has a history of anti-gay activism. The group’s standing to sue was in question. In fact, on a previous occasion, Lamberth tossed the suit, arguing that the plaintiffs lacked standing.'"

The Detroit News: "Stem cell researchers in Michigan are anxiously awaiting a clarification on the federal judge's ruling on Monday that blocked government rules expanding embryonic stem cell research . . . 'The American people should not be forced to pay for experiments -- prohibited by federal law -- that destroy human life. The court is simply enforcing an existing law passed by Congress that prevents Americans from paying another penny for needless research on human embryos,' [Steven H. Aden], ADF's senior legal counsel, said."

LifeNews: "And Advocates International, part of the public interest legal team along with the Alliance Defense Fund litigating the case for stem cell researchers opposed to Obama's order, also weighed in with a response."

97.9% of precincts reporting 55.49% YES, 44.51% NO.

". . . science itself has ended the debate . . . Nowadays, everyone wants a bailout. Embryo-destructive scientists are only the latest group to claim they're too big to fail, when in fact they've never succeeded . . . "

"The Obama administration announced today that it will appeal a federal judge's decision striking down President Barack Obama's executive order forcing taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research."

Russell Korobkin writing at The Volokh Conspiracy: "Judge Lamberth surprisingly interpreted Dickey-Wicker to prevent the use of tax dollars to support researchers who do any work using hESC lines as an input. One might at least plausibly argue for this result based on the principle that underlies Dickey-Wicker: that is, if Congress’ goal is to avoid dirtying the federal government’s hands with complicity in the destruction of embryos, perhaps research that relies on embryo destruction somewhere upstream should be ineligible for funding. But Lamberth claims that his result is supported by the unambiguous language of the Amendment. I find this argument utterly unconvincing."

FOX News: "The White House said Tuesday it wants to press ahead with federally funded stem cell research amid fears by some private groups that a judge's ruling will block important scientific work. The Obama administration is exploring all possible avenues 'to make sure that we can continue to do this critical lifesaving research,' Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters in Vineyard Haven, Mass."

The Roanoke Times: "Cuccinelli concluded that two state regulatory boards already have the authority to issue regulations governing abortion facilities and providers of first-trimester abortions . . . [Gov. Bob McDonnell] spokesman Tucker Martin said the administration will review Cuccinelli's opinion before making any decisions, but made the governor's stance clear. 'The governor is a long-standing supporter of ensuring that abortion clinics, and their medical personnel, are treated equally with other outpatient surgical hospitals by the commonwealth to ensure services are provided in a safe manner,' Martin said."

Canada Free Press: "Those who will do anything possible to quash dissent regarding the issue of abortion were foiled once again on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. The case against David Avignone, an MBA student at Chicago’s Loyola University, was dropped by the City of Chicago."

ChristianNewsWire: "The San Marcos City Attorney's office confirmed yesterday that it has dismissed all criminal charges against Elena Di Ventra that arose out of a loitering citation she received in May 2010. The sidewalk counselor was represented by Life Legal Defense Foundation staff attorney Allison K. Aranda."

Associated Press: "The White House says federally funded stem cell research should continue and is exploring how to respond to a judge's order halting it."

Jonathan Adler writing at The Volokh Conspiracy: "Do parents have a constitutionally protected property interest in the dead body of their child, including all organs? Not necessarily is the answer given by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Albrecht v. Treon, at least under Ohio law as interpreted by the Ohio Supreme Court." | Related post: Ohio Court Debates Rights to Body Parts [1.23.2008]