Obama changes stem cell, abortion policies

Federal funding would help Missouri hospitals and research facilities.

By Cecilia Evans

Published March 9, 2009

President Barack Obama signed an executive order March 9 to lift a ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, which is another step the new president has taken to reverse the policies of his predecessor.

In remarks made before the signing ceremony Monday, Obama stressed the importance of science and research.

"Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident," Obama said in a prepared statement. "They result from painstaking and costly research, from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit, and from a government willing to support that work."

Since taking office, Obama has been changing directions from former President George Bush on the topics of abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research.

He has struck down Bush-era regulations on abortion rights and added federal funding to several groups that research or provide services and counseling about abortion.

In Missouri, Obama's changes to regulations on stem cell research drew praise from groups that support the research.

Donn Rubin, Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures chairman, said in a news release that expanded federal funding would help Missouri hospitals and research facilities.

"When treatments are available, Missouri families will have immediate access and won't be forced to travel elsewhere to care for their loved ones when they are most vulnerable," Rubin said in the release. "In other words, Missouri patients may enjoy the same access to medical care that residents of other states do."

In 2006, MCLC proposed Amendment 2 to Missouri voters, which passed with a little more than half of the state's electorate. The amendment prevents state lawmakers from banning stem cell research that is protected by federal law.

Under a federal ban put in place by Bush in August 2001, embryonic stem cell research was allowed with existing stem cell lines.

When Obama overturned this ban with the executive order, the decision drew fire from Missouri lawmakers and anti-abortion-rights groups.

Immediately after the signing, Missouri Roundtable for Life, a group against public funding for embryonic stem cell research, issued a news release in which Executive Director Todd Jones said he is disappointed with Obama's decision and said it illustrates why the organization's proposed amendment 2010 is necessary.

"The Missouri Roundtable For Life's Taxpayer Protection Amendment simply stops Missouri taxpayer dollars from going to abortion services and human cloning research," Jones said in the release.

The organization has developed a petition to propose an amendment on the 2010 ballot that would prevent any public money for abortion services or prohibited human research.

The same groups that have come out against Obama's policies pertaining to stem cell research have also protested some of his recent decisions with regard to abortion rights.

Last week, the Missouri House of Representatives approved a nonbinding resolution that condemns the Freedom of Choice Act, which would make a nationwide law that a woman has the right to an abortion before fetal viability or if termination is necessary to preserve the health of the woman.

The FOCA would also allow some Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers laws to be challenged in court cases. This bill was twice introduced to Congress, but after being referred to the judiciary committees, received no other action. It has yet to be introduced to Congress this year.

MRL supports the legislation, which was proposed by Rep. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield.

According to the language of the bill, the Missouri House does not support FOCA because it would protect the abortion industry and would promote "abortion on demand." The measure gained wide support in the House, as it passed 116-40.