MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - Governor Jim Doyle says the state and UW-Madison will work together to challenge the loss of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research.

Tuesday, Federal Judge Royce Lamberth said he would not reconsider his ruling from last month, which ordered a halt to the government’s research funding.

UW Chancellor Biddy Martin said up to 2 dozen Madison scientists face expensive disruptions. She said 2 grants to study possible cures for Down’s syndrome and retinal disorders are on hold because of the judge’s action.

The U.S. Justice Department asked Lamberth to allow the funding to continue while his ruling is being appealed. But the judge said it would, “flout the will of Congress.”

He said the funding violates the 1990’s Dickey-Wicker amendment, which bans the use of tax money for scientific experiments that destroy human embryos. Doyle says Wisconsin will be a part of efforts to appeal the court decision, and to repeal the Dickey-Wicker amendment.