Politics | 02/16/2009 10:30 am

David Axelrod: Obama May Soon Lift Stem Cell Ban

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

President Barack Obama may soon be lifting an executive ban on stem cell research.

The ban — imposed eight years ago by President George W. Bush — limited federal spending on embryonic stem cell research. Under that order, scientists could only use human embryonic stem cells that already existed, and some say this severely limits research capabilities. Scientists believe stem cells could eventually cure Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, heart disease and many other illnesses. It could also potentially help amputees grow back body parts.

Top Obama aide David Axelrod said on "Fox News Sunday" that Obama will soon lift the ban and spend federal funding on such research. "We’re going to be doing something on that soon, I think. The president is considering that right now," said Axelrod.

Preliminary research has already begun — the Food and Drug Administration last month approved the first-ever human trial of stem cells. The patients on trial have crushed spinal cords, and doctors are testing whether stem cells can be used to effectively re-grow their damaged nerves.

Obama has previously spoken of his plans to lift Bush’s ban. While in the Senate, Mr. Obama voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which was vetoed by President Bush. The bill would have allowed federal funding to be used for research on stem cell lines obtained from discarded human embryos originally created for fertility treatments.

Debates regarding stem cells stem from the fact that embryos are destroyed during the removal of embryonic stem cells. Conservatives often equate the process with abortion, saying it’s a destruction of life.

39 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I think it’s about time, we should move forward to try and find cures for all these illness’s…we can’t live in this bubble of not wanting to progress in this field.

By caj p on 02/16/2009 9:39 am

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caj p - There is progress being in California. About four or five years ago we passed a $3 billion bond measure to study the field of stem cell research. All the locations have been chosen and/or converted and I believe the personnel have been hired. Work has started. However, I must add that the latest advances in stem cell research (not the California plan) have occurred using stem cells approved by the former administration… not embryonic stem stems. I should look up the article but the research had to do with the ability of providing some progress in the mobility of paraplegic individuals. That particular program has now moved passed the test animal stage and is ready for human experimentation.

By Bonnie Oliver on 02/16/2009 6:51 pm

That sounds like great news, who knows how many lives this kind of research will help in the future.

By caj p on 02/16/2009 10:05 pm

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I agree! No one is being killed to produce stem cells…but a lot of people can continue to live a qualty life, once we start using them.

By Patty E on 02/16/2009 9:48 am

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Yes!

By Dee T on 02/16/2009 10:09 am

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Stem cell research is so incredibly important. It will be of benefit to so many diseases and medical conditions. In my mind the two faces I see when I think of stem cell research is Michael J. Fox and actor Christopher Reeve. The “what if’s” abound. Research wasn’t able to save Christopher but Michael…… “what if?” President Obama is doing the right thing in my opinion if he lifts the ban. I had forgotten that the Bush administration had placed a ban on federal funding for stem cell research. Just when I was beginning to think I am being too hard on him, something else comes along to remind me of how out of touch he truly was.

By Belinda Joy on 02/16/2009 10:16 am

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Imaging all the people stem cells therapy would help if the ban was lifted!

By A Amedee on 02/16/2009 11:02 am

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Absolutely! This action could possibly be BO’s greatest contribution to humankind in this country.

By Andrea Brandon on 02/16/2009 11:18 am

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Great news! Time to move forward…lets move ahead with stem cell research and help those in need… on another note Kudos to Susan Axelrod and her work on a cure for epilepsy! http://www.cureepilepsy.org/home.asp

By Tee Zee on 02/16/2009 11:25 am

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Wonderful - never understood a ban on the possibility of helping so many.

By Sandbee (FB) 54 on 02/16/2009 12:48 pm

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This is very good news. The arguments in defense of the federal funding ban for stem-cell research always seemed to place the rights of the already discarded “unborn” above the rights of the living. Never made the slightest bit of sense to me.

By Ms. Dee on 02/16/2009 1:22 pm

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What is he waiting for ?? About damn time !!

By EKA - on 02/16/2009 1:38 pm

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I think what they’ve been considering is whether to push it through legislatively instead, so that the next conservative president can’t simply rescind Obama’s action. Perhaps, based on the Congressional Republicans’ stated intent to be as obstructionist as possible, they are now considering presidential action, with an attempt at legislative action to follow.

By Marina B. on 02/16/2009 1:51 pm

Thank you Mr. President for putting science back into policy making. Stem Cell research is wanted by the majority of Americans and finally we have someone in Washington who is listening to us.

By DeBúrca obj on 02/16/2009 2:37 pm

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Isn’t that a refreshing change to have someone who actually knows we are out here and need to be heard? We may as well have all been in solitary confinement for the past 8 years as we never had a voice.

By caj p on 02/16/2009 3:01 pm