Sound Science
Advancing the health and well-being of all Americans requires medical research and policy that is grounded in sound science. Unfortunately, because of their own narrow religious beliefs, some people would prefer to sacrifice sound research that could help all Americans. We deserve to benefit from the best scientific and medical research possible -- it just makes sense.
Our tax dollars fund most of the medical research in this country, and the government regulates many advances in the medical and health fields. It is critical that our publicly backed scientific institutions and policies are guided by objectivity, facts, and evidence, and not by ideology. Unfortunately, some people would prefer that their religious beliefs guide our government's scientific endeavors -- even if it means sacrificing potentially life-saving technologies that could benefit all Americans. This is the case with stem cell research, which is essentially prohibited using federal dollars due to objections based on certain faiths. Public funding must be invested in advancing science that benefits all of us.
Sound science has also been limited in other ways. The FDA, for example, has overruled the findings of doctors and scientists and obstructed our ability to obtain emergency contraceptives. This action seems to have been taken based solely on the religious beliefs of political appointees and those who influence them.
Manipulating scientific advancements because of narrow religious beliefs endangers us all.
In The News:
"Messages on stem cell research take center stage"
Houston Chronicle - March 7, 2007
Houston Chronicle - March 7, 2007
"Chisum Launches Attack On Evolution"
Texas Freedom Network - February 14, 2007
Texas Freedom Network - February 14, 2007
"God, Darwin clash again in Kansas "
Reuters - February 14, 2007
Reuters - February 14, 2007
"Believing Scripture but Playing by Science’s Rules"
The New York Times - February 12, 2007
The New York Times - February 12, 2007
"The Bible vs. science"
USA Today - February 6, 2007
USA Today - February 6, 2007
"Gore Film Sparks Parents' Anger"
The Washington Post - January 25, 2007
The Washington Post - January 25, 2007
"Paging Dr. Gupta: The Potential of Stem Cells"
CNN Blog - January 15, 2007
CNN Blog - January 15, 2007
"New stem cell source discovered"
BBC - January 15, 2007
BBC - January 15, 2007
"Stem cell researchers hopeful, cautious over 'giant step foward'"
CNN Health - January 15, 2007
CNN Health - January 15, 2007
"Bush's dusty veto pen may soon get a workout"
CNN - January 15, 2007
CNN - January 15, 2007
"House endorses stem-cell research"
House Endorses Stem Cell Research - January 12, 2007
House Endorses Stem Cell Research - January 12, 2007
"American Diabetes Association: Embryonic Stem Cell Research Offers Great Promise for Americans with Diabetes"
American Diabetes Association - January 10, 2007
American Diabetes Association - January 10, 2007
"Bi-Partisan Congress Breathes New Life Into Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act"
PR Newswire - January 9, 2007
PR Newswire - January 9, 2007
"Orem teen going to China for stem cell treatment"
Daily Harold, Utah - January 4, 2007
Daily Harold, Utah - January 4, 2007
"HPV Vaccine Creates Parental Challenge"
The Washington Post - August 27, 2006
The Washington Post - August 27, 2006
"Stem Cell News Could Intensify Political Debate"
The New York Times - August 24, 2006
The New York Times - August 24, 2006
"How to Make Sure Children are Scientifically Illiterate"
The New York Times - August 15, 2006
The New York Times - August 15, 2006
"Bush Fulfills Pledge to Veto Boost in Stem-Cell Funding"
The Denver Post - July 20, 2006
The Denver Post - July 20, 2006
"Our Opinion: I Pray America Reclaims Science"
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 15, 2005
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 15, 2005
From Americans United for Separation of Church and State:
AU brochure
This approach threatens the separation of church and state and sound science education. Creationism and its variants are religious doctrines, not science. ...
AU Press release – July 2006
“Public school students in Ohio deserve sound science education, not religious dogma masquerading as science,” said Lynn. “It’s time for Religious Right ...
AU Press release – February 2006
“They must reject pressure from religious groups to teach intelligent design or to attack evolution in their science lessons.” ...
Church and State - February 2006
Hours after a federal judge in Pennsylvania struck down a school board policy mandating instruction about “intelligent design” in a public school science class, parent Tammy Kitzmiller faced a bank of microphones to address the media.
AU Press Release - December 20, 2005
Sweeping Decision Should Bring Latest Creationist Crusade To A Halt, Church-State Watchdog Group Says
Church and State – September 2005
President Bush’s Support For Teaching ‘Intelligent Design’ In Public Schools Adds To Growing Controversy Over Science Instruction In Public Schools ...
AU Press release – August 2005
President George W. Bush’s endorsement of teaching “intelligent design” in the public schools is irresponsible and undermines sound science education, ...
AU Blog – August 2005
So where does President George W. Bush stand on the issue of teaching so-called "intelligent design" (ID) as a scientific alternative to evolution in the public schools?
AU Blog – July 2005
It took the Catholic Church more than 300 years to apologize for imprisoning the great 17th Century astronomer Galileo Galilei because his research confounded the church's teachings.
AU Blog – November 2004
The latest fight over science in America's classrooms is taking place in Cobb County, ... In science, an idea can be a theory and a fact at the same time, ...
AU Press Release - April 10, 2002
School Board Votes Down Proposal After AU Threatens Lawsuit
From The Interfaith Alliance Foundation:
State of Belief Radio, May 2006
This Sunday, May 28, on The Interfaith Alliance Foundation's radio show, State of Belief, Rev. Welton Gaddy takes an in-depth look at the role of faith and religion in protecting our environment with several leaders in the field.
In The News:
"Messages on stem cell research take center stage"
Houston Chronicle - March 7, 2007
Houston Chronicle - March 7, 2007
"Chisum Launches Attack On Evolution"
Texas Freedom Network - February 14, 2007
Texas Freedom Network - February 14, 2007
"God, Darwin clash again in Kansas "
Reuters - February 14, 2007
Reuters - February 14, 2007
"Believing Scripture but Playing by Science’s Rules"
The New York Times - February 12, 2007
The New York Times - February 12, 2007
"The Bible vs. science"
USA Today - February 6, 2007
USA Today - February 6, 2007
"Gore Film Sparks Parents' Anger"
The Washington Post - January 25, 2007
The Washington Post - January 25, 2007
"Paging Dr. Gupta: The Potential of Stem Cells"
CNN Blog - January 15, 2007
CNN Blog - January 15, 2007
"New stem cell source discovered"
BBC - January 15, 2007
BBC - January 15, 2007
"Stem cell researchers hopeful, cautious over 'giant step foward'"
CNN Health - January 15, 2007
CNN Health - January 15, 2007
"Bush's dusty veto pen may soon get a workout"
CNN - January 15, 2007
CNN - January 15, 2007
"House endorses stem-cell research"
House Endorses Stem Cell Research - January 12, 2007
House Endorses Stem Cell Research - January 12, 2007
"American Diabetes Association: Embryonic Stem Cell Research Offers Great Promise for Americans with Diabetes"
American Diabetes Association - January 10, 2007
American Diabetes Association - January 10, 2007
"Bi-Partisan Congress Breathes New Life Into Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act"
PR Newswire - January 9, 2007
PR Newswire - January 9, 2007
"Orem teen going to China for stem cell treatment"
Daily Harold, Utah - January 4, 2007
Daily Harold, Utah - January 4, 2007
"HPV Vaccine Creates Parental Challenge"
The Washington Post - August 27, 2006
The Washington Post - August 27, 2006
"Stem Cell News Could Intensify Political Debate"
The New York Times - August 24, 2006
The New York Times - August 24, 2006
"How to Make Sure Children are Scientifically Illiterate"
The New York Times - August 15, 2006
The New York Times - August 15, 2006
"Bush Fulfills Pledge to Veto Boost in Stem-Cell Funding"
The Denver Post - July 20, 2006
The Denver Post - July 20, 2006
"Our Opinion: I Pray America Reclaims Science"
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 15, 2005
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 15, 2005
Coalition Organizations
The organizations featured below are encouraging their members and supporters to sign the First Freedom First petition to safeguard separation of church and state and protect religious liberty. Click their logo to learn more.








