• 24
  • August
    2010
Almost immediately upon taking office, the Obama Administration signed an executive order, which opened the wallet for the use of Federal funds for stem cell research.  The order was overturned due to the fact that the Congress passed a law forbidding the use of Federal funds for research that includes the destruction of embryos.   These issues are especially important to people who suffer from illnesses potential benefiting from such research, as well as couples with fertility issues and who may use frozen embryos for in vitro fertilization and surrogate pregnancies.

Support for Stem Cells Research

The hope is that the Congress can move quickly to revise the law itself, although I suspect a lot of political grandstanding.  I do find this truly unfortunate, because an overwhelming majority of people support stem cell research, and believe the Federal government should not interfere.  Additionally, a lot of high profile conservatives believe the limits previously placed upon stem cell research severely damaged the state of the science.  In fact, we are being surpassed on the research by many countries who lead on few others (see map of countries).  While many argue the research may proceed without such funding, it is counter intuitive for the Federal government to fund less effective research for common diseases (e.g. Parkinson, Juvenile diabetes), to the disadvantage of stem cells.

Impact on Surrogacy and Other Fertility Treatments

Meeting with couples as I often do for surrogacy and other alternative fertility issues, it is disturbing for people to treat such personal issues as political footballs.  Embryonic stems cells are 4-8 cell organisms, many of which are currently frozen in clinics all across America.  For any questions or concerns about the legal issues associated with fertility, surrogacy, or adoption, please feel free to email  Ted Corless or call  866-969-2889.