In a surprise decision, a federal judge ruled today in favor of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in a court battle over the legality of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., who last August briefly shut down federally funded research because he agreed that it was likely illegal—a ruling that was later overturned—this morning dismissed the original lawsuit. That suit was filed by two scientists opposed to hESC research.
"Having carefully considered the motions, oppositions, replies, supplemental briefing, the entire record in this case, and the applicable law, the Court will grant defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment and deny plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment," the 38-page opinion says.
ScienceInsider will have more on the decision and order soon.
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