Obama To Reverse Bush-Era Stem Cell Policy

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama today is lifting his predecessor’s limits on funding stem cell research.

President George W. Bush limited taxpayer money for stem cell research to a small number of stem cell lines that were created before Aug. 9, 2001.

Scientists say Obama’s move to lift the limit on federal funding will boost work that could lead to breakthroughs on treating Alzheimers, Parkinson’s and spinal cord damage.

Though most research uses spare fertility clinic embryos already destined for disposal, critics say it’s still wrong for taxpayers to subsidize the destruction of human life.

Obama’s announcement today will include a broad declaration that science — not political ideology — will guide his administration.