February 17, 2009
UPDATE: Top Obama adviser David Alexrod told Fox News that Obama is currently considering signing an executive order that would allow for the federal funding of embryonic research.
See the SBA List blog for more information.
Acording to Politico, and other sources, it is expected that President Obama will begin to push for the federal funding of embryonic stem cells now that the stimulus bill has been passed.
President Bush signed an executive order on August 9, 2001 that banned the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research with the exception of existing embryos. In other words no new embryos could be created for destruction.
It remains to be seen whether Obama will merely sign an executive order allowing for the funding of embryonic stem cell research or if he will try to make the funding more permanent by urging Congress to pass legislation that would make funding of stem cell research permanent. Rep. Diane DeGette (D-CO) introduced a bill in Congress to this effect on February 4, 2009.
