NCJW Deplores Stem Cell Ruling
August 24, 2010, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today deplored the August 23 ruling by US District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth declaring that the current rules governing embryonic stem cell research likely violate federal law. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan issued the following statement:
“The restraining order granted by US District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth that would bar the implementation of existing rules governing embryonic stem cell research is a setback to potentially life-saving research already under way. The rules carefully crafted by the Obama Administration were designed to avoid conflict with existing law while maintaining the highest ethical standards of medical research. The embryos in question would otherwise be legally destroyed. It is not clear that even the previous rules devised by the Bush Administration would pass muster under Judge Lamberth’s theory of the law.
“The ruling causes enormous disruption to ongoing research. How it will be applied — to ongoing research starting immediately or to new grant applications — is unclear. While it may be appealed, the process will take valuable time and still mean a rollback of current policy for the time being, no matter the eventual outcome.
“The law in question is a rider to appropriations that has been added in rote fashion every year, despite the fact that a majority of Americans support stem cell research. This is yet another example of how one set of religious beliefs has been entrenched in the law, affecting us all and threatening medical advances. Judge Lamberth’s decision must be quickly overturned, and Congress must act to repeal these harmful amendments — lives depend on it.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 × 5; emily@ncjwdc.org