[ID] 4367 [Entry Date] 05/01/2009 at 03:47:20 PM [Affiliation] Self [Comments] 
In my opinion, the regulations of NIH should forbid research on embryonic stem cells. Not ADULT stem cells, but embryonic stem cells for moral reasons - specifically human rights issues, as both biologically and genetically those embryos are human beings - embryonic human beings, but human beings nonetheless. There are several issues involved. 1. How were those embryos - fertilized ova - obtained? From miscarriages? From abortions? From traffickers in embryos? 2. Embryonic stem cell research has been going on for 25 years without, I understand, result, whereas ADULT stem cell research has resulted in progress in treating some 70 diseases. Therefore, why all the fuss about embryonic stem cell research? 3. The most fundamental questions concerning federally funded stem cell research is that such research can now take place and be funded pursuant to a Presidential Executive Order 13505. I thought that only the House of Representatives can appropriate the funding for any Federally funded program. Under our Constitution the President does not have the power to appropriate money for anything. (A) Isn't the President unconstitutionally usurping this Constitutional prerogative of the House? (B) Are Executive Orders per se Constitutional? (C) Shouldn't matters having to do with appropriations and expenditures of Federal funds for Federal programs be decisions of our elected representatives? (C) What about "government of the people, by the people and for the people"? Thank you,