WASHINGTON (AP) — Reversing an eight-year-old limit on potentially life-saving science, President Barack Obama plans to lift restrictions Monday on taxpayer-funded research using embryonic stem cells. The long-promised move will allow a rush of research aimed at one day better treating, if not curing, ailments from diabetes to paralysis — research that crosses partisan lines, backed by such notables as Nancy Reagan and the late Christopher Reeve. But it stirs intense controversy over whether government crosses a moral line with such research.

Now a ton of people get this confused with “banning stem cell research”.  No, Bush banned taxpayer funded stem cell research.  I think Obama really fucked up by reversing this (surprise surprise).

Think about it; your tax-dollars are now going to be used to fund research that a private company is going to charge you 10.4 zillion dollars for you to recieve benefits from.   Thats right, WE as taxpayers are paying for R&D that a private company is going to profit from.  That sound like a good idea to you?  You think this company that makes something awesome is going to cut us taxpayers a break because they got their research subsidized by the government?  Hell no!

It would be different if the private company used private funds to fund their research.  Then I can see charging an arm and a leg for this stuff, but no, they will be getting a subsidized ride via an already broke government on our broke backs so they can make a zillion dollars.  If we want to socialize the research, then lets socialize their profits too! Its bullshit, and I’m tired of using taxpayer dollars to subsidize things that the private sector should pick up the tab for!  The only way that I will be in favor of this is if all government-funded research gets put into the public domain (ie: not patented) so anyone can use it.

So in 10 years, when we’re still in debt, but a brand new treatment is out for $foo that nobody can afford (and the company is reporting record profits this year!), think of me.