U.S. President Barack Obama has lifted restrictions on federal funding for medical research using human embryonic stem cells. Mr. Obama says it is part of a broader effort to limit political interference in science.
美国总统奥巴马解除对用政府经费资助有关用人类胚胎干细胞进行医学研究的限制。奥巴马说，这是为限制政治干预科学研究所做的一部分努力。
Unlike adult cells which have specific functions, stem cells from very early embryos have the ability to grow into any tissue in the body. Scientists say embryonic stem cells hold the promise of cures and treatments for diseases and conditions ranging from diabetes to paralysis.
与具有特定功能的成人细胞不同，从早期胚胎中获取的干细胞具有发育成人体任何组织的能力。科学家说，人类胚胎干细胞具有可能治愈和治疗某些疾病，如糖尿病、瘫痪等。
But opponents say because a days-old embryo is destroyed in the process, stem cell research is unethical, and amounts to the destruction of human life.
但是反对者指出，由于在研究的过程中会毁坏一个几天大的胚胎，因此干细胞的研究等于是在摧毁人类生命，是不道德的。
In 2001, then President George W. Bush put limits on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. President Obama says that move was wrong and based on, what he calls, a false choice between sound science and moral values.
2001年，当时的总统布什限制用政府经费资助有关用人类胚胎干细胞的医学研究。奥巴马总统说，这样做是错误的。他说，这是基于在正确的科学和道德价值之间所作的错误选择。
"In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent," the president said. "As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and the will to pursue this research - and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."
奥巴马说：“在这个问题上，我认为这二者之间并非相互矛盾。作为一个有信仰的人，我相信，我们听从上帝的召唤，相互关心，努力减轻人类的痛苦。我相信，我们已获得这种能力和决心，推动这方面的研究，以人性和良知负责任地去这样做。”
The president signed an executive order lifting the restrictions at a White House ceremony attended by scientists, patient advocates, and members of Congress.
奥巴马在白宫的一次仪式上签署行政令，解除了有关的限制。出席这次仪式的有科学家、为病人伸张权益的人和国会议员。
He also put his signature on an accompanying memo designed to shield science from political interference.
奥巴马还签署了一个附带的备忘录，目的是保护科学免受政治的干预。
The move was welcomed by Dr. Irving Weissman of Stanford University - a pioneer in stem cell research.
美国斯坦福大学医生韦斯曼对此表示欢迎。斯坦福大学在干细胞研究方面处于领先地位。
"The Bush administration brought in political requirements that you do not do certain types of research because of their politics, or the ideology, for some their religion," Weissman said. "That is absolutely unprecedented in American science."
韦斯曼说：“布什政府提出了一些政治要求，由于他们的政治，或思想，或为了他们宗教的考虑，你不能作某种研究。这在美国科学史上绝对是前所未闻的。”
But critics of the decisions say there are other options available to researchers besides embryonic stem cells.
但是批评奥巴马决定的人士指出，除了胚胎干细胞以外，还有其它选择供研究人员使用。
David Prentice is with the Washington-based Family Research Council. He cites new efforts to transform adult stem cells to give them many of the qualities of embryonic cells.
大卫.普伦蒂斯是设在华盛顿的家庭研究委员会的资深研究员。他指出，新的研究已经能改造成人干细胞，使成人干细胞具有胚胎干细胞的很多特性。
"Using embryos (is) old science, bad health care. It is the adult stem cells that actually help patients now," Prentice said.
普伦蒂斯说：“使用干细胞是旧科学，不良的医疗保健。现在真正能帮助病人的是成人的干细胞。”
In making his announcement, President Obama said the government will support promising research of all kinds. He said it is time to make up for lost ground.
奥巴马总统在宣布这项决定时说，政府将支持具有发展前景的各种研究。他说，现在是弥补过去损失的时候。
That is welcome news for Carl Robb. He has Parkinson's Disease - a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.
这对罗布来说是好消息。他患了帕金森症。帕金森症是中枢神经系统退化性疾病。
"This is going to allow the best and the brightest to do the work that needs to be done and has not been done for so long," Robb said.
罗布说：“这将能让那些最出类拔萃的人们从事干细胞的研究工作，这是应当做的工作，这项工作被搁置的时间太久了。”
The president's announcement did not address a related issue, whether or not to lift the ban on federal funds for research on embryos themselves. The ban, put in place by Congress, bars the use of tax dollars to create human embryos in a laboratory.
奥巴马在宣布这项决定时没有提到另外一个相关的问题，即是否解除联邦政府资助对胚胎细胞本身研究的禁令。这项由国会通过的禁令，不允许用纳税人的钱在实验室创造出人类胚胎。 |