The stem cell debate is back in the limelight after a federal district judge put the brakes on the Obama administration's expanded support of embryonic stem cell research. Congress should act quickly to prevent any lull in the important research that's already taking place around the country, including in Michigan.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth recently halted President Barack Obama's 2009 executive order expanding embryonic stem cell research. The White House is considering an appeal among other options.

The Washington, D.C.-based judge ruled that the administration's stand breached the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which bans the federal financing of embryo destruction.

The administration doesn't see this as a conflict since federal funds are allocated toward research once stem cell lines are created — not for the actual destruction of embryos.

But the judge saw this as a case of semantics since you can't have one without the other.

Lamberth endorsed a strict reading of the amendment. And groups such as Right to Life of Michigan that firmly oppose embryonic stem cell research view this ruling as a victory.

But supporters of stem cell research point to the abundant possibilities for research to determine causes and treatments for a range of diseases.

Michigan, which used to have strict restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, expanded its research greatly in 2008 after voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing for use of donated embryos from fertility clinics.

This decision along with Obama's executive order last year encouraged the launch of the University of Michigan's Consortium for Stem Cell Therapies, which collaborates with Michigan State University and Wayne State University.

While the project has been privately funded thus far, the University of Michigan states it would like to provide new stem cell lines to other researchers who would receive funds from the National Institutes of Health.

Even though embryonic stem cells are still crucial, researchers in Michigan are striving to convert adult skin cells into "pluripotent" stem cells, which are similar to embryonic stem cells.

This research could eventually sidestep the need for embryos, the university contends.

Such strides should not be impeded. Leonard Fleck, professor of philosophy at Michigan State University and an expert in medical ethics and stem cell research, says the ruling has several potential "devastating" effects.

Especially if it is upheld in the appeals process, research will suffer — and as soon as this fall. Fleck anticipates that Congress will react soon by overturning the amendment, even though some legislators have used the law to circumvent a sticky political issue.

Many in the medical research community are unclear as to how the ban will affect them.

The administration should pursue the appeal to the appellate bench and all the way to the Supreme Court if need be.

But Congress also needs to act on a parallel track, step up to the plate, end any confusion and clarify the situation in a way that allows embryonic stem cell research to go forward.

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