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President Obama announced yesterday that the federal government will be lifting restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. In speaking before an audience gathered in the East Room of the White House, the President said that his administration “will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research.” The signing of the Executive Order was a sharp reversal of the stem cell policies of former President George W. Bush. Obama stated that the previous administration has presented a false choice to the United States on stem cell research and morality. Many scientists believe that since stem cells can take the form of any cell in the body they could produce new therapies for serious diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. President Obama also signed a related memorandum yesterday that would isolate the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from political pressures. In another gesture aimed at rebuking the previous administration, Obama said that a strategy was necessary for “restoring scientific integrity to government decision making.” In contrast, during the presidency of George W. Bush, a petition signed by more than 17,000 scientists denounced the politicization of science.

GUESTS: Sean Tipton, Immediate Past President of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, Kurt Godfried, Chair of the Union of Concerned Scientists Board of Directors