Credit: AFP
WASHINGTON DC: U.S. President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Monday reversing Bush administration restrictions on federal funding for stem-cell research, a senior administration official said.
The official would not divulge the exact wording of the order, but confirmed, on condition of anonymity, that it would be in line with Obama's campaign vow to restore funding to embryonic stem-cell research.
The president will sign the document in a White House ceremony Monday morning, the official said, in the latest of a long line of actions reversing the policies of his predecessor, former president George W. Bush.
Reversing Bush policies
The move will spark delight among scientists who have long campaigned for the Bush policy to be overturned, but will likely be condemned by conservative right-to-life groups.
Obama spelled out his campaign policy on stem-cell research last August in a list of answers to the Science Debate 2008 scientific lobby group. "I strongly support expanding research on stem cells," Obama wrote.
"I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem-cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations," he said.
"As president, I will lift the current administration's ban on federal funding of research on embryonic stem cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001 through executive order, and I will ensure that all research on stem cells is conducted ethically and with rigorous oversight."
Reports about Obama's plans for Monday were immediately condemned by Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.
Reversing Bush policies
"Today's news that President Obama will open the door to direct taxpayer funds for embryonic stem-cell research that encourages the destruction of human embryos is a slap in the face to Americans who believe in the dignity of all human life," Perkins said.
Bush barred federal funding from supporting work on new lines of stem cells derived from human embryos in 2001, allowing research only on a small number of embryonic stem-cell lines which existed at that time.
He also several times vetoed legislation passed by Congress backing the research, which advocates say could help find a cure to diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes and Parkinson's.
stem cell research
Yes, right on for Obama in lifting the restriction and promote stem cell research. We need to compete with other nation by moving science forward and provide adequate funding for all the science projects such as Astronomy, High energy physics, and definitely stem cell research. All of those religious fanatics have no clue about how important sciences are and they are truly idiots. Just take a look at all the advanced medical technology we have which depend on scientific methods and researches, and without that, how can we improve the quality of lives by prolonging it? Life expectancy is longer these days and people tend to be healthier thanks to medical advances. Politicians ( republicans) and religious people are clueless about what is going on and they are just being pointless by condemning stem cell research. Science is about making progress while politics is just congress.
David Lau