Obama's gift of life: One large step for mankind

Obama's gift of life: One large step for mankind

By World's Editorial Writers
Published: 3/11/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 3/11/2009 4:02 AM

The outpouring of relief and optimism over President Obama's lifting of federal funding restrictions for embryonic stem cell research is overwhelming. It makes us forget for a moment that the economy's in the tank, unemployment figures are worsening and that we live in an uncertain world.

Obama's order replaces eight years of worry and frustration with a renewed sense of optimism for the 100 million Americans suffering from cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and other debilitating diseases and disorders.

By signing an order calling for funding and ethical oversight for embryonic stem cell research, the president "has ensured that Americans are no longer forced to look back at what could have been, but can instead look forward to one day seeing the promise of scientific and medical research fulfilled," said a spokesman for the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research.

According to polls, nearly three-quarters of Americans as well as the majority of the House and the Senate supported federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

The order does not mean that this research should proceed without stringent ethical oversight and rules.

Obama's announcement lifts a 2001 ban on federal funding for new stem cell research. It's not clear how much more federal money will be spent on the research until grants are pursued and issued.

Embryonic stem cells are valued for their ability to morph into any cell of the body, and scientists believe
they can be used to uncover cures for ailments including diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.

It is a new day, especially for those millions of people who hold out hope that science might finally restore their lives. For them, the executive order is the equivalent of putting a man on the moon. For them, the change in policy is that proverbial giant step for mankind.