This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7929690.stm
The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Obama ends stem cell funding ban | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| Before signing the executive order, Mr Obama said he hoped Congress would act on a bipartisan basis "to further support this research". See what is being said about the measure on the web | |
| 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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2009/03/faith_vs_science.html">Read Justin's thought in full class="" href="/1/hi/health/7932611.stm">What 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. | |
| 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". | |
| He also announced that his administration would work to foster a new era of scientific integrity, overseen by the White House. | |
| 'Vindicated' | 'Vindicated' |
| Researchers have also been developing techniques to create stem cells without using embryos, by modifying other types of cell. | Researchers have also been developing techniques to create stem cells without using embryos, by modifying other types of cell. |
type="text/css" href="/nol/shared/spl/hi/dhtml_slides/css/styles.css" media="screen" rel="stylesheet" />class="h2_header">STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY | |
| Key sources for stem cells are adult organs or embryonic cells | |
| Adult stem cells are identified and separated from other cells | |
| Embryonic stem cells are removed from 5-day-old embryos | |
| Cells are manipulated to stimulate them to take on a specific function | |
| Specialised cells may then be used to treat unhealthy areas | |
| BACKNEXT1 of 5 | |
| The move to lift the ban on federal funding was welcomed by stem cell researchers. | |
| "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. | 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. |
| "I strongly support expanding research on stem cells," Mr Obama said on the campaign trail. The restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists US President Barack Obama class="" href="/1/hi/health/7828800.stm">White House stem cell shift? class="" href="/1/hi/health/4562235.stm">Q&A: Stem cells | |
| "I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations." | "I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations." |
| 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. | 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 |