VOA标准英语2009年-US Researchers Welcome Obama Stem-Cell Decision

Medical experts in Miami are hoping to speed up research using embryonic² stem cells. Their work may lead to advances in treatment for spinal³ cord injuries, Alzheimer's disease and other illnesses.
　
President Barack Obama signs an Executive Order on stem cells and a Presidential Memorandum⁴ on scientific integrity, 09 Mar⁵ 2009

Researchers at the University of Miami Stem Cell Institute responded quickly to President Obama's decision, which reversed a policy signed by former President George W. Bush. The school is the site of most stem-cell research in the area, and experts say the lifting of the ban on human embryonic stem cell work could open the door to more public funding.

Neurosurgeon Dalton Dietrich said he was excited by Monday's announcement at the White House.

"I have been waking up many mornings very excited about the possibility of using these cells to target many of the problems we see with stroke, brain trauma⁶, spinal cord injury," he said.

Recently, the university conducted the first human clinical trial of a treatment for heart attack patients, which used adult stem cells harvested from the patient or donors⁷. The study showed patients with the treatment had fewer side effects from the heart attack, and saw their heart and lung functions improve.

The ban signed by President Bush in 2001 made it nearly impossible to conduct such clinical trials using stem cells harvested from human embryos⁸. Experts say those cells pose greater medical opportunities because they can be used in any part of the body, while adult stem cells often have limited functions.

The director of the Miami institute, Joshua Hare, said the lifting of the ban will allow researchers to compare various treatments with embryonic stem cells, and adult cells.

"We will be more scientifically free to look at all different kinds of cells and compare cells to one another. Our scientific opportunity is much much greater now," he said.

Critics of embryonic stem-cell research say it is unethical because a days-old human embryo¹ is destroyed in the process.

Catholic Church leaders in Florida criticized President Obama's decision Monday, saying the research has yet to produce cures for chronic¹⁰ diseases. House Republican leader John Boehner said the move reversed important protections for human life.
　
A growth medium is added to a dish where stem cells are grown in an Omaha, Nebraska lab, 09 Mar 2009

In his announcement, President Obama said he respected those who strongly opposed research using embryonic stem cells, which would have normally been discarded by private fertility clinics. He said the country should pursue the scientific and medical opportunities posed by the research.

"We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield," he said.

In Miami, researchers said embryonic stem cells could begin to be used in about six months. Stem Cell Institute Director Joshua Hare said, no matter how his team proceeds, it will be keenly aware of the ethical⁹ concerns.

"We are a profession about the respect for life. So everything we do with embryonic stem cells will be done with the utmost of care, ethics¹¹ and oversight," he said.

Under the president's decision, some of the $10 billion earmarked for health care spending in the recent stimulus¹² bill is expected to finance embryonic stem-cell research.

1 embryo   

n.胚胎，萌芽的事物

参考例句：

• They are engaging in an embryo research.他们正在进行一项胚胎研究。
• The project was barely in embryo.该计划只是个雏形。

2 embryonic   

adj.胚胎的

参考例句：

• It is still in an embryonic stage.它还处于萌芽阶段。
• The plan,as yet,only exists in embryonic form.这个计划迄今为止还只是在酝酿之中。

3 spinal   

adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的

参考例句：

• After three days in Japan,the spinal column becomes extraordinarily flexible.在日本三天，就已经使脊椎骨变得富有弹性了。
• Your spinal column is made up of 24 movable vertebrae.你的脊柱由24个活动的脊椎骨构成。

4 memorandum   

n.备忘录，便笺

参考例句：

• The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
• The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。

5 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

6 trauma   

n.外伤，精神创伤

参考例句：

• Counselling is helping him work through this trauma.心理辅导正帮助他面对痛苦。
• The phobia may have its root in a childhood trauma.恐惧症可能源于童年时期的创伤。

7 donors   

n.捐赠者( donor的名词复数 )；献血者；捐血者；器官捐献者

参考例句：

• Please email us to be removed from our active list of blood donors. 假如你想把自己的名字从献血联系人名单中删去，请给我们发电子邮件。
• About half this amount comes from individual donors and bequests. 这笔钱大约有一半来自个人捐赠及遗赠。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 embryos   

n.晶胚；胚，胚胎( embryo的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Somatic cells of angiosperms enter a regenerative phase and behave like embryos. 被子植物体细胞进入一个生殖阶段，而且其行为象胚。 来自辞典例句
• Evolution can explain why human embryos look like gilled fishes. 进化论能够解释为什么人类的胚胎看起来象除去了内脏的鱼一样。 来自辞典例句

9 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

10 chronic   

adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的

参考例句：

• Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
• Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。

11 ethics   

n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准

参考例句：

• The ethics of his profession don't permit him to do that.他的职业道德不允许他那样做。
• Personal ethics and professional ethics sometimes conflict.个人道德和职业道德有时会相互抵触。

12 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。