Obama Reverses Bush Stem Cell Ban

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 9, 2009 2:36 PM CDT

(AP) – President Obama signed an order today allowing federal taxpayer dollars to fund expanded embryonic stem cell research, reversing a George W. Bush policy viewed by many as blocking development of potentially life-saving medical treatment. Obama said he was ending what he believed was "a false choice between sound science and moral values" and opening the road for important medical research.

Obama urged Congress to follow up with legislation that would lift a further ban on experiments that create new embryos. He closed the door to cloning of embryos for human reproduction, and issued a slap at the Bush administration in declaring that politics not science had driven its policy. Today's order, Obama said, "is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

President Barack Obama applauds after signing an Executive Order on stem cells and a Presidential Memorandum on scientific integrity, Monday, March 9, 2009, in the East Room of the White House. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

President Obama makes remarks prior to signing an Executive Order on stem cells and a Presidential Memorandum on scientific integrity, Monday, March 9, 2009, in the East Room of the White House. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

President Barack Obama shakes hands with an unidentified man in a wheelchair after signing an Executive Order on stem cells, Monday, March 9, 2009, in the East Room of the White House. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly research from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit, and from a government willing to support that work. - President Obama

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Nancy Reagan Lauds Obama on Stem-Cell Ban

Prez pays tribute to Chris, Dana Reeve in overturning ruling

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama lifted the Bush administration’s ban on stem-cell research today amid criticism from congressional Republicans but admiration from one Nancy Reagan, Politico reports. Lifting the ban “will now make it possible for scientists to move forward,” the former first lady said in a statement. “I urge researchers to do all they can to fulfill the promise that stem cell research offers." More»

Bush Kills Stem-Cell Bill

Wields veto for third time in presidency; Dems come out swinging

(NEWSER) - President Bush delivered the expected veto of a stem-cell research bill this afternoon, issuing instead an executive order to encourage the development of non-embryonic stem cells. "I will not allow our nation to cross this moral line," Bush said, setting off a predictable firestorm of protests from Dems. Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton called the veto "ideology before science." More»

Bush Prepares to Re-Veto Stem Cell Bill

Without override votes, Dems force prez to renew unpopular rebuff

(NEWSER) - President Bush plans to sic the third veto of his presidency on a new bill that would soften restrictions on stem-cell research. Congressional Dems sent the bill to the president this week, and it looks eerily similar to one Bush sent back to fail a congressional override in January. More»

Bush More Popular Than Obama: Poll

Plus: Guess who's the most popular president ever?

(NEWSER) - In honor of Presidents' Day, pollsters have ranked the most popular presidents ever—and it turns out George W. Bush is slightly more popular than our current leader, at least by one measure. Some 46% of Americans see President Obama favorably, and 49% have a negative view of him, marking a 3-point favorability gap. Bush has just a one-point gap, with 45% approving and 46% disapproving of him, Public Policy Polling reports. Indeed, Republicans despise Obama more than any other demographic hates any other president—12% to 84%. More»

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

(NEWSER) - Three years ago, Mitt Romney wrote that President Obama should " Let Detroit Go Bankrupt ," instead of bailing out the struggling auto industry, in a famous New York Times column. And today? Even with the American auto industry on the rebound, Michigan's GOP primary looming on Feb. 28, and Rick Santorum breathing down his neck in the polls , Romney still thinks bankruptcy would have been better than the president's "crony capitalism," he writes in the Detroit News . "I believe that without his intervention things there would be better," he writes. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website