A federal appeals court has temporarily lifted a ban on using federal money on embryonic stem cells, Thursday.

It's a small victory for the Obama administration in the fight over stem cell research.

Steven Aden, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, discussed the immediate impact of the ruling and more on the Friday, September 10 edition of CBN Newschannel's Morning program.

Click play to watch the interview.

"It is crucial that federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research be restored permanently, and this stay is a step in that direction," Lisa Hughes, president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, said.

But pro-life groups argue that Americans should not be forced to pay for experiments.

"An embryo is not an egg, not sperm," said Rob Stoddart with the non-profit group Nightlight Christian Adoptions. "It's a baby at its very earliest stage of development, but it's a baby and destroying it is the same as abortion."

President Obama approved the funding shortly after taking office. In August, a judge blocked it, citing a law that states taxpayer money cannot be used if it leads to destroying human embryos.

An appeals court is allowing the funding to continue temporarily while the administration's appeal is reviewed. However, the three judge panel said it's decision should not be construed as ruling on the merits of the case.