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| Obama ends stem cell funding ban | Obama ends stem cell funding ban |
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| US President Barack Obama has lifted restrictions on federal funding for research on new stem cell lines. | US President Barack Obama has lifted restrictions on federal funding for research on new stem cell lines. |
| Mr Obama signed an executive order in a major reversal of US policy, pledging to "vigorously support" new research. | Mr Obama signed an executive order in a major reversal of US policy, pledging to "vigorously support" new research. |
| Ex-President George W Bush blocked the use of any government money to fund research on human embryonic stem cell lines created after 9 August 2001. | Ex-President George W Bush blocked the use of any government money to fund research on human embryonic stem cell lines created after 9 August 2001. |
| Scientists say stem cell research will lead to medical breakthroughs, but many religious groups oppose the research. | Scientists say stem cell research will lead to medical breakthroughs, but many religious groups oppose the research. |
| Announcing the new policy, Mr Obama said he was authorising a change "so many scientists and researchers and doctors and innovators, patients and loved ones have hoped for and fought for these past eight years". We will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction US President Barack Obama White House stem cell shift?Q&A: Stem cellsYour views: Stem cell move | |
| "At this moment the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown and it should not be overstated," Mr Obama said. | |
| "But scientists believe these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand and possibly cure some of our most devastating diseases and conditions." | |
| Analysts say Mr Obama's decision could also lead Congress to overturn a ban on spending tax dollars to create embryos. | Analysts say Mr Obama's decision could also lead Congress to overturn a ban on spending tax dollars to create embryos. |
| That ban, known as the Dickey-Wicker amendment, has been in place since 1996 and renewed every year by Congress. | That ban, known as the Dickey-Wicker amendment, has been in place since 1996 and renewed every year by Congress. |
| But Democrat Congresswoman Diana DeGette told the New York Times newspaper that several anti-abortion colleagues were open to the possibility of reversing the ban if this was necessary to help research. | But Democrat Congresswoman Diana DeGette told the New York Times newspaper that several anti-abortion colleagues were open to the possibility of reversing the ban if this was necessary to help research. |
| See what is being said about the measure on the web | |
| Before signing the executive order, Mr Obama said he hoped Congress would act on a bipartisan basis "to further support this research". | |
| Stem cells are cells with the capacity to turn into any other type of human cell, be it bone, muscle or nerve cell. | Stem cells are cells with the capacity to turn into any other type of human cell, be it bone, muscle or nerve cell. |
| One embryo can provide a limitless supply because the cell lines can be grown indefinitely. | One embryo can provide a limitless supply because the cell lines can be grown indefinitely. |
| But the use of human embryonic stem cells in research is controversial with some campaigners saying it is unethical. The stem cell decision is indeed a repudiation of a Bush policy but it is more: the strange death of socially conservative America, which began in the mid-terms in 2006, continues apace Read Justin's thought in fullWhat next for stem cell research? | But the use of human embryonic stem cells in research is controversial with some campaigners saying it is unethical. The stem cell decision is indeed a repudiation of a Bush policy but it is more: the strange death of socially conservative America, which began in the mid-terms in 2006, continues apace Read Justin's thought in fullWhat next for stem cell research? |
| The practice of creating embryos is routine in private clinics, but the ban put constraints on federal researchers even before the restrictions imposed by former President Bush, forcing them to use embryos left over from fertility treatments. | The practice of creating embryos is routine in private clinics, but the ban put constraints on federal researchers even before the restrictions imposed by former President Bush, forcing them to use embryos left over from fertility treatments. |
| Correspondents say the policy change is part of President Obama's pledge to make clear that his administration wants scientific research to be free from political interference. | Correspondents say the policy change is part of President Obama's pledge to make clear that his administration wants scientific research to be free from political interference. |
| Announcing his development, he described himself as a man of faith who had carefully weighed the implications of the decision, and said moving forward required a "delicate balance". | Announcing his development, he described himself as a man of faith who had carefully weighed the implications of the decision, and said moving forward required a "delicate balance". |
| And he vowed that only research meeting strict ethical guidelines would be allowed, stressing that under no circumstances would stem cells be used for research into human cloning. | |
| "It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society," Mr Obama said. | |
| 'Vindicated' | 'Vindicated' |
| The move to lift the ban on federal funding was welcomed by stem cell researchers. | |
| Over the past eight years, many have been developing techniques to create stem cells without using embryos, by modifying other types of cell. | |
STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY | STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY |
| Key sources for stem cells are adult organs or embryonic cells | Key sources for stem cells are adult organs or embryonic cells |
| Adult stem cells are identified and separated from other cells | Adult stem cells are identified and separated from other cells |
| Embryonic stem cells are removed from 5-day-old embryos | Embryonic stem cells are removed from 5-day-old embryos |
| Cells are manipulated to stimulate them to take on a specific function | Cells are manipulated to stimulate them to take on a specific function |
| Specialised cells may then be used to treat unhealthy areas | Specialised cells may then be used to treat unhealthy areas |
| BACKNEXT1 of 5 | BACKNEXT1 of 5 |
| "I feel vindicated after eight years of struggle, and I know it's going to energise my research team," Dr George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute told the Associated Press. | "I feel vindicated after eight years of struggle, and I know it's going to energise my research team," Dr George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute told the Associated Press. |
| The federal funding ban has meant that scientists have been forced to separate any privately funded stem cell research from their government-funded activity. | |
| Mr Obama made it clear during the presidential election campaign that, if elected, he would reverse the Bush administration's decision. | Mr Obama made it clear during the presidential election campaign that, if elected, he would reverse the Bush administration's decision. |
| President Bush had twice vetoed congressional attempts to have the ban lifted. | President Bush had twice vetoed congressional attempts to have the ban lifted. |
| President Bush and other social conservatives argued that the embryos are human life and therefore should not be destroyed. | President Bush and other social conservatives argued that the embryos are human life and therefore should not be destroyed. |
| Like Mr Bush, President Obama has profound Christian beliefs but he has defined the issue in terms of restoring scientific integrity to government, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington. | |
| Speaking to the BBC in January, Dr Robert Evans, a pastor and bioethicist, said he would oppose any move to allow federal funding for new stem cell lines. | Speaking to the BBC in January, Dr Robert Evans, a pastor and bioethicist, said he would oppose any move to allow federal funding for new stem cell lines. |
| "What it signals is that the human embryo has been denied moral standing and a corresponding right to life," he said. | "What it signals is that the human embryo has been denied moral standing and a corresponding right to life," he said. |
| "As an evangelical who believes all life is created equal in the image of God, and that we have moral standing from the moment of conception, I would view that as a very chilling decision." | "As an evangelical who believes all life is created equal in the image of God, and that we have moral standing from the moment of conception, I would view that as a very chilling decision." |
| MEDIA REACTION TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PLAN | MEDIA REACTION TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PLAN |
| The stem cell signing - like the economic stimulus bill - is an example of the two different tracks that Obama and Republicans are currently on. Obama, with his base solidly on his side, is making policy with broad support among independents. Republicans, on the other hand, remain in the wilderness and are looking to rebuild from core principles. | The stem cell signing - like the economic stimulus bill - is an example of the two different tracks that Obama and Republicans are currently on. Obama, with his base solidly on his side, is making policy with broad support among independents. Republicans, on the other hand, remain in the wilderness and are looking to rebuild from core principles. |
| Chris Cillizza, Washington Post | Chris Cillizza, Washington Post |
| Although President Bush limited federal funding of embryonic stem cell research to a few existing stem cell colonies, he did not make such research illegal... Nothing notable has occurred in embryonic stem cell research other than the scientific fraud committed by the infamous South Korean researcher Hwang Woo-suk. | Although President Bush limited federal funding of embryonic stem cell research to a few existing stem cell colonies, he did not make such research illegal... Nothing notable has occurred in embryonic stem cell research other than the scientific fraud committed by the infamous South Korean researcher Hwang Woo-suk. |
| Steven Milloy, Fox News | Steven Milloy, Fox News |
| There is real hope that stem cells will soon be available to regenerate tissue for any part of the body. Throughout the past eight years, funding restrictions have forced researchers to develop workarounds... President Obama's executive order presents an excellent opportunity to renew America's commitment to this whole promising field. | There is real hope that stem cells will soon be available to regenerate tissue for any part of the body. Throughout the past eight years, funding restrictions have forced researchers to develop workarounds... President Obama's executive order presents an excellent opportunity to renew America's commitment to this whole promising field. |
| William Haseltine, The Atlantic | William Haseltine, The Atlantic |
| This issue's controversial. But there's nowhere near the opposition to embryonic stem cell research as there is to abortion, where more than 60% of Americans favour more restrictions. | This issue's controversial. But there's nowhere near the opposition to embryonic stem cell research as there is to abortion, where more than 60% of Americans favour more restrictions. |
| Dan Gilgoff, US News & World Report | Dan Gilgoff, US News & World Report |