U.S. President Barack Obama has lifted the restriction on federal funding of stem cell research imposed by his predecessor George W. Bush in 2001.
“We will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will also vigorously support scientists who pursue this research,” Obama said at a session in the White House.
Obama disagreed with the Bush administration that had explained the restriction by moral reasons. He said such a position was like “a false choice between sound science and moral values.”
“As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research – and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly,” the U.S. president said.
