According to an article in the University of Notre Dame’s The Observer, Malcolm Fraser Jr., professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics of Viruses, believes that President Obama’s recent move to lift the ban on federal funds for embryonic stem cell research “was the appropriate action to take because it will force society to face the issue and make the ‘hard decisions.’” Although Fraser said that he would personally prefer to find alternatives to human embryonic stem cell research, “he thinks that lifting the ban was the appropriate approach because it does not limit scientific investigation or force one point of view.” Professor Fraser said, “I value the contributions of science to humankind too much to want any one person or group telling scientists what they can or cannot explore.” In counterpoint, The Observer interviewed Orlando Carter Snead, Notre Dame associate professor of Law. “I think it’s regrettable that tax payers are being compelled to support this kind of research,” said Snead, “especially in light of all the alternative sources of stem cells that don’t require the destruction of embryos.” Source: The Observer