I read an article by Charles Krauthammer this morning and was reminded of how important it is to have a president with moral values. Millions and perhaps billions of lives have been saved. Would this scientific breakthrough have happened eventually? Quite possibly. But I doubt it would have happened this soon.
A decade ago, Thomson was the first to isolate human embryonic stem cells. Last week, he (and Japan's Shinya Yamanaka) announced one of the great scientific breakthroughs since the discovery of DNA: an embryo-free way to produce genetically matched stem cells.
Even a scientist who cares not a whit about the morality of embryo destruction will adopt this technique because it is so simple and powerful.
The embryonic stem cell debate is over.
Which allows a bit of reflection on the storm that has raged ever since the August 2001 announcement of President Bush's stem cell policy.
The verdict is clear: Rarely has a president -- so vilified for a moral stance -- been so thoroughly vindicated.
Read the full article here.