Stem Cell Ruling to be Quickly Appealed
The government will quickly appeal a court ruling that undercut federally funded embryonic stem cell research. The Justice Department said an appeal is expected this week of the federal judge’s preliminary injunction.
The 8/23/10′s court ruling was broader than first thought because it is more restrictive. Francis Collins, the head of the NIH said some stem cell research would continue for a while, but new research would be stopped, in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling. “I was stunned, as was virtually everyone here at NIH,” while outlining the immediate effect of the ruling:
- 143 grants worth $95 M, which are now up for annual renewal will be frozen,
- 22 grants totaling $54 M, whose existing research is coming up for renewal in September will be frozen,
- 131 grants awarded this year already are out the door and will not be affected until they’re up for renewal in a year.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, pledged a hearing on the court ruling as soon as Congress returns next month.
