President Obama plans to overturn Bush-era policy Monday that limited federal tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research, according to The Washington Post.
His executive order will overturn President Bush’s August 2001 order that barred the National Institutes of Health from funding research on embryonic stem cells. Bush also vetoed legislation that would have expanded federal funded research.
Advocates for embryonic stem-cell research say it would allow scientists to find cures for diseases like Parkinson’s. Opponents believe that creating them involves the destruction of human life and they argue that using adult stem cells is good alternative.
Rob Stein writes that Congress is also likely to consider legislation that could prevent any future presidents from creating restrictions.
Picture of Da Vinci’s study of cells and a fetus courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
