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U.S. President Barack Obama has signed an executive order lifting funding limits on research with embryonic stem cells imposed by his predecessor, George W. Bush.
"Today, with the executive order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers, doctors, and innovators, patients and loved ones have hoped for, fought for these past eight years," Obama told reporters at a news conference at the White House on Monday.
"We will lift the ban on federal funding for ... embryonic stem cell research."
The long-promised move will allow a rush of research aimed at one day better treating, if not curing, ailments from diabetes to paralysis — research that has drawn broad support, including from notables like Nancy Reagan, widow of the late Republican president Ronald Reagan.
Under Bush, taxpayer money for that research was limited to the 21 stem cell lines that were created before Aug. 9, 2001. But researchers have said that these lines have, in many cases, had some drawbacks that limited their potential usability.
The research is controversial because days-old embryos must be destroyed to obtain the cells. They typically are culled from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away.
"In recent years when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said.
"In this case the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering."
Obama qualified his support for stem cell research by saying that his administration "will never undertake this research lightly."
"We will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly conducted. We will develop strict guidelines which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse."
Obama also said his administration will never open the door to human cloning, which he called "dangerous." Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can morph into any cell of the body. Scientists hope to harness them so they can create replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases — such as new insulin-producing cells for diabetics, cells that could help those with Parkinson's disease or maybe even Alzheimer's, or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury.
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