Stem Cells

May 21st- Today, the Secular Coalition for America submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the development of guidelines that would establish a framework for the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Far too long decisions as to what types of research should receive federal funding have been captives of a religiously tinged political process rather than the subject of a well established process of scientific peer review.  On March 9th, President Obama issued an Executive Order instructing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop these guidelines and on April 24th, their draft guidelines were available for public comment. To read the Secular Coalition’s comments, click here.  Read more »

The Secular Coalition for America is pleased that President Obama has signed an executive order ending his predecessor's restrictions on stem cell research. Medical experts agree that embryonic stem cell research has great potential to help alleviate or even cure many devastating medical conditions.

Opponents of stem cell research can provide no medical or scientific support for their position. Instead, they offer only a biblical claim that these cells constitute human life. The Secular Coalition has consistently argued that such theological arguments have no place in sound science policy.

With this decision, President Obama has empowered the National Institutes of Health to devise a plan for pursuing research on the most promising stem cell lines - research that may someday lead to the alleviation of tremendous human suffering.  Read more »