President Obama lifted the eight-year-old ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, he believed in putting the weight of his office on the side of scientists who believe that stem cells have the potential to cure some of the world’s most harmful diseases. The Obama order reverses that without addressing a separate legislative ban, which precludes any federal money paying for the development of stem cell lines. The legislation, however, does not prevent funds for research on those lines created without federal funding. Obama acted more publicly Monday in moving to allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, fulfilling a campaign pledge on an issue that is popular with Democrats and divides Republicans. In signing the order and a second memo designed to wall off scientific research from political influences, Obama said a majority of Americans support lifting the federal funding ban, which would allow researchers to begin using hundreds of already-created embryonic stem cell lines for work on cures for cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and other illnesses. Researchers say the newer lines created with private money during the period of the Bush ban are healthier and better suited to creating treatment for diseases. Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can morph into any cell of the body. Scientists hope to harness them so they can create replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases - such as new insulin-producing cells for diabetics, cells that could help those with Parkinson's disease or maybe even Alzheimer's, or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101653356
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Why do you'uns think that this ban I gone done and put in place needs 'aliftin?
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