Massachusetts governor wants end to limitations on stem cell research News
Massachusetts governor wants end to limitations on stem cell research

[JURIST] Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) [official profile] said Friday he plans to reverse the restrictions placed on stem cell research by former governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney [official profile; JURIST news archive]. Patrick emphasized during a meeting with the state Life Sciences Collaborative that "life sciences should be guided by science, not ideological politics."

He also announced his intention to ask the Massachusetts Public Health Council [official website] to revisit the stem cell policy it approved last August. The 2005 stem cell law [bill text], which banned embryo farming and prohibited district attorneys from charging scientists who conducted embryonic stem cell research, was vetoed by the former governor [JURIST report]. Romney's subsequent restrictions placed additional limits on embryo research. Patrick said reversing Romney's stem cell limitations will restore the legislature's intent. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.