Politically, it is important for politicians to understand that moral objections are to be taken extremely seriously. But Ramesh, you seem to be arguing that moral objections are to be trump cards, preventing government action, if a) the policy to which the objection is made is not “necessary” and b) if the moral objection is sound. I can’t believe you actually believe this to be the case, because it makes no logical sense. Those who argue for embryonic stem-cell research believe it is necessary. They may be wrong, but they believe it. Therefore, there’s a moral stand-off here, in which case your argument a) is cancelled out. And as for the moral objection being sound, honestly, are you saying that Krauthammer’s argument in favor of some embryonic stem-cell research is immoral, or that it doesn’t pass muster because it can’t convince those who believe it is immoral, or what? Pacifists have to stomach immoral policy every day. That’s what happens in democracies. You can’t always get what you want, even if what you believe what you want will be the salvation of the souls of millions.