Some Clarity on Stem Cells

The debate over government funding for stem-cell research has been characterized by hyperbole, misrepresentation and snark, nearly all of it emanating from the left which has tried to use the controversy to brand President Bush as being "anti-science" (which he most certainly is not).

For a sane discussion dispelling many of the untruths that have been raised in this debate, check out this piece from NPR [NPR!, balanced coverage! amazing!]

A couple of the assertions are worth noting:

If the federal government doesn't expand funding for embryonic stem cells, will U.S. scientists flee to other countries?

Probably not.

There is no evidence that this is happening.

....

Are U.S. scientists prohibited from doing certain kinds of embryonic stem-cell research?

No.

There are virtually no restrictions on the kind of stem-cell research that may be done in this country. The federal restrictions are on the use of federal dollars for embryonic stem-cell research. With private money, scientists can do practically anything they want.

Bet you didn't know that, did you? Certainly the Democrats and the NYT didn't tell you.

Read it here.