Justice Department says it will appeal ruling that undercut Obama stem cell regulations

Administration to appeal ruling in stem cell case

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration will appeal a court ruling that undercut its efforts to expand stem cell research, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

The appeal is expected this week, said spokesman Matthew Miller.

On Monday, a federal judge ruled that the stem cell research violated the will of Congress in prohibiting the destruction of human embryos.

National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said dozens of studies of promising stem cell therapies — about $54 million worth — would have to stop because of the court ruling that temporarily forbids any additional money from being granted.

Monday’s ruling will “drive the best scientific minds into work less likely to yield treatments,” added Sean Tipton of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. “It will be incredibly disruptive.”