There's a big buzz in the scientific community because President-elect Barack Obama plans to issue an executive order allowing federal funding for new embryonic stem cell research.

In an article by Reuters on February 15, 2009, a reporter indicated that stem cells come from cells that must be extracted from human embryos. That implies that these cells are being taken from the womb, and this is simply not true. I wish the media would clarify that these cells are being cultivated and stored in a laboratory, not a woman's body.

Federal funding will not destroy any embryos. The cells used by scientists come from blastocysts leftover from in vitro fertilization. Those cells would have been disposed of anyway, unless they are adopted by another couple! The freezer life of these cells are not eternal, so while we are waiting for a reversal, a decision is being made. We have decided that these cells are better off in the trash than they would be if used for research that could help millions of living human beings.

A sad commentary for all of us—especially conservatives who consider themselves as pro-life. Allowing sick and injured people to die does not save babies or blastocysts.

The Bush Administration did not ban research on all blastocyst cells. In 2001, President George Bush hampered stem cell research by restricting government funding on embryonic stem cell research to the stem cell lines created prior to April 2001. Therefore, Bush is not a hero for saving poor little embryos that were on the chopping block. Those cells are still being discarded. Instead, he delayed research that could have advanced science to a point where we could have seen cures for many illnesses by now.

Blastocysts created prior to 2001 used old technology cultivated with mouse feeder cells and only represent a limited cross-section of the population. Newer technology without mouse cells is easier to work with and represents better diversity. Obama's reversal of Bush's veto will still mean we are eight years behind schedule, and that people have had to suffer (and die) for a religious cause based on a misinformed opinion rather than scientific fact.

I wrote a book about stem cell research that explains the details regarding the science of stem cell research, the politics behind it, and the manner in which religion has interfered with good government and the will of the people. You will find up-to-date information and a song about stem cell research at www.right2recover.com .