Briefing Timeline Set in Stem-Cell Appeal

The timeline for the next act in the stem-cell legal drama is now in place. An appeal to overturn an August 23rd injunction against federally funded research on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) will begin in 2 weeks with a volley of briefs in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

On October 14, the appellants' (DoJ's) brief is due, and 2 weeks later, the appellees (the original plaintiffs, Sherley et al) should submit their brief. Then wait another week for the government's reply brief (on November 4). Oral argument will take place "on the first appropriate date following completion of briefing."

In so far as it may be relevant, the federal appeals court judges are a Catholic (Kavanaugh), a Mormon (Griffith), and someone whose political views appear to meet in that weird nexus of extreme left- and right-wing ideology (Brown).

Should be interesting.

Thanks once again to the Great Beyond Blog for easy access to relevant court docs.