Washington - Former first lady Nancy Reagan welcomed
President Barack Obama's decision Monday to allow government funding
of embryonic stem cell research, which scientists believe could help
cure diseases such as Alzheimer's that led to her husband's death.
Nancy Reagan, who has departed from many fellow Republicans who
oppose stem cell research on religious grounds, said lifting the ban
on federal funding would allow scientists to 'move forward' with
their investigations.
'I'm very grateful that President Obama has lifted the
restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research,'
she said in an emailed statement. 'I urge researchers to make use of
the opportunities that are available to them, and to do all they can
to fulfil the promise that stem cell research offers.'
Obama signed an executive order Monday lifting restrictions on
federal funding that were imposed by former president George W Bush
in 2001.
Former president Ronald Reagan succumbed to Alzheimer's in 2004
and Nancy Reagan has been a vocal advocate for stem cell research
that could lead to a cure for the disease ever since.
'Countless people, suffering from many different diseases, stand
to benefit from the answers stem cell research can provide,' she
said. 'We owe it to ourselves and to our children to do everything in
our power to find cures for these diseases and soon. As I've said
before, time is short, and life is precious.'
Religious conservatives oppose the research because the process
involves destroying human embryos. They argue scientists should use
adult stem cells.
USA
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