The election of the 44th President of the United States has provided a refreshing respite from the usual chorus of groans associated with discussion of the executive office.

A firm Obama supporter, I am usually in accordance with his notions of how to bring about change, salvage our nation and create an entire wardrobe out of five suits and an undetermined number of ties.

Unfortunately, in a matter slightly less superfluous than how to dress for success, I find myself seriously disagreeing with the tastefully clad President.

While campaigning, Obama stated that if elected, he would overturn the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research instated by the Bush administration.

Although I adore the newly elected President and the photos of him attempting to outplay Tyler Hansbrough, I can hardly concur with this decision.

Stem cells from a human embryo have the capacity to grow into any human tissue, and are therefore invaluable to those who believe they can exploit this capacity and use it to cure innumerable diseases.

Unfortunately, to extract stem cells, it is necessary to destroy the embryo.

The human embryo is a staggering entity, a vessel capable of creating a human being, and it is unimaginable that we would sacrifice the opportunity to manifest that latent life in the name of an immature science.

Those who condone this experimentation claim to be doing so in the name of leaps and bounds in the medical field, and having experienced my fair share of bizarre ailments and awkward anomalies, I understand the recent arms race for the cure.

Yet, in spite of the inconveniences and losses engendered by maladies, I simply refuse to believe the ends justify the means in this case.

Stem cells can be extracted from other parts of the body without serious repercussions, including the umbilical cord, and a slightly painful bone marrow procedure.

These aged stem cells are referred to as adult stem cells, slightly less versatile in their abilities to form tissues; these comprise a less developed area of the science.

Yet, in the sober name of science, embryonic stem cells are preferable to those procured from adults, and therefore, one must not blink an apathetic eye at the thought of the irreconcilable transaction.

Admired for their virgin state and plasticity, embryonic cells are the most coveted of the extracted stem cells, but wouldn’t the art of acquiring and acclimating adult stem cells be improved by the increased dedication of funds and research that are otherwise concentrated on the uncouth embryonic variety?

The treacherous ground researchers are treading seems to be a slippery slope that could lead to unimaginable consequences, and there is no promise of success.

In fact, many mice have rejected the tissues they receive and suffered from tumors that have worsened their nerve damage.

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