ddn conducts interview with lead plaintiff related to embryonic stem cell research case

Drug Discovery News (ddn), a news organization covering issues, trends and product news in the pharmaceutical drug development and discovery industry, recently conducted exclusive interviews with the lead plaintiffs in the controversial Sherley v. Sebelius lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama's order granting funding for embryonic stem cell research.

“My faith also calls me to respect the intrinsic dignity of human life in my work.”

The plaintiffs, Dr. James L. Sherley, a biological engineer at Boston Biomedical Research Institute, and Dr. Theresa Deisher, research and development director at AVM Biotechnology LLC in Seattle, discuss why they believe adult stem cell research holds more scientific progress, but fewer ethical concerns, and why they believe Obama's order has intensified competition for limited government dollars, making it more difficult for them to get funding for their own work.

"Human embryonic stem cell research … continues to be misrepresented by many of its proponents who misstate its potential for providing medical advances and present it as if there were no alternatives, when in fact both adult stem cell research and traditional disease research are not only effective alternatives, but better ones in many respects," Sherley says in the interview.

Deisher also discusses how her faith informs her research approach: "My Christian faith calls me to focus on drugs and treatments that are affordable so that the greatest number of people will benefit," she says. "My faith also calls me to respect the intrinsic dignity of human life in my work."