A federal judge recently blocked Congress from funding medical research that destroys human embryos to collect their stem cells. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that using tax dollars to destroy tiny human lives probably violates a 1996 law, so he issued a restraining order while a lawsuit on that question proceeds.
The Obama administration has now asked the judge to lift his order and plans to appeal to a higher court if the judge does not lift it.
We are not in a position to say exactly what the law in question permits or forbids. That is for courts to determine by carefully and honestly interpreting the law.
But in principle, the federal government has no business using tax dollars to promote research that snuffs out human life, even in the embryonic stage.
First, it is unconstitutional. Medical research is not one of the very limited powers delegated to Congress by the Constitution.
Second, scientists have made enormous breakthroughs using adult stem cells, which can be collected without harming human life. That is much more ethical, and it should be the focus of scientific inquiry. It is noble and desirable to seek cures for diseases, but that research should not be done at the expense of destroying innocent life.
And third, the judge’s restraining order does not actually stop all embryonic stem cell research. It halts only the use of taxpayer dollars to fund that research; private money may still be used. A great many Americans oppose that sort of research on sound moral grounds. They should not be forced to subsidize with their taxes experiments that they find extremely objectionable.
Whatever the final ruling in this particular case, Congress should promote — rather than undermine — respect for innocent life.
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