Obama lifts
Bush restrictions on stem cell research
David Alexander
Reuters US Online Report Politics News
 President
Barack Obama lifted restrictions on federal funding of
human embryonic stem cell research on Monday, angering
abortion opponents but cheering those who believe the
study could produce treatments for many diseases.
"We will lift the ban on federal funding for promising
embryonic stem cell research," Obama said to vigorous
applause at a White House gathering.
"We will also vigorously support scientists who pursue
this research. And we will aim for America to lead the
world in the discoveries it one day may yield."
Shares of companies specializing in stem cell research
burst upward on the news, with Geron Corp up by as much
as much as 35 percent and StemCells Inc up 73 percent at
one point. Other related company shares rose, too.
The decision was a clear repudiation of the approach
taken by Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush. U.S. law
limits the use of federal money to make human stem
cells, but Bush tightened the restrictions even further
to include work using such cells.
Bush's decision prompted charges that he was basing his
decision on politics and religion rather than science.
Religious conservatives who supported Bush generally
opposed embryonic stem cell research because it involves
destruction of embryos, which they view as human life.
Obama rejected that view.
"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," he said.
"As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care
for each other and work to ease human suffering. I
believe we have been given the capacity and will to
pursue this research -- and the humanity and conscience
to do so responsibly."
Aides said Obama would not dictate details about how
stem cell research should be overseen but would give the
National Institutes of Health 120 days to come up with
guidelines.
"We will never undertake this research lightly," Obama
said. "We will develop strict guidelines, which we will
rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate
misuse or abuse."
Some scientists accused Bush of sacrificing scientific
research and subverting scientific findings to appease
his conservative political and religious base, not only
on stem cells but on climate change policy, energy and
reproductive and end of life issues.
STATEMENT ON SCIENCE
Obama also signed a presidential memorandum directing
the head of the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy to develop a strategy for "restoring
scientific integrity to government decision making."
The NIH will take into consideration guidelines from the
National Academy of Sciences and the International
Society for Stem Cell Research, said Dr. Harold Varmus,
a former NIH director who is also president of the
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and
an adviser to Obama.
Kansas Senator Sam Brownback issued a statement of
dissent: "If an embryo is a life, and I believe strongly
that it is life, then no government has the right to
sanction their destruction for research purposes."
He argued that other sources of stem cells that do not
come from human embryos offer as much promise.
Stem cell experts agree that all types of stem cells
should be developed, but it is not clear which offer the
best route to a new type of therapy called regenerative
medicine, in which it is hoped doctors can replace brain
cells destroyed by Alzheimer's disease, reverse genetic
defects such as cystic fibrosis, and regrow severed
spinal cords.
(Editing by Maggie Fox and David Storey)
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