President Barack Obama signed an executive order OK-ing stem cell research earlier today which reverses a policy endorsed by the former administration.  Under the Bush Administration, federal funds could not be used for most forms of research involving embryonic stem cells but Obama has lifted that funding restriction opening the door for public funds being spent on controversial stem cell research, irrespective of taxpayer’s beliefs and moral values.

Stem cells are said to be master cells which possess the transformational properties needed to become any type cell in the body.  This property makes them ideal candidates for research to potentially prevent, reverse, or cure many medical conditions, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.  Well-known advocates of this line of research include actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson’s disease; the family of president Ronald Reagan, who had Alzheimer’s disease; and the late actor, Christopher Reeve, who suffered a paralyzing spinal injury that he and some members of the medical community thought stem cells could reverse.

Critics of the controversial research say it destroys human life and that scientific discoveries achieved so far, have failed to find their place in the real world of medicine.  Others warn further research could someday lead to human cloning.  Obama’s executive order explicitly forbids human cloning efforts.

Obama’s economic stimulus bill allocates $10 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a two-year period to use it.  Most of this money is expected to go toward research grants, including grants for embryonic stem cell research.

While federal funds have been restricted during the past eight years, state and private funding have been allowed.  Those states currently researching stem cell applications are likely to be the first states that gain from the NIH research grant monies, as their research programs are already well developed and they could begin immediately.  Voters in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York approved state funds for stem cell research during the Bush Administration and are said to be uniquely positioned for federal funding now.