Stem cell research to get a boost under Obama

The new US administration under Barack Obama will take a more pro-active view on the issue of stem cell research than his predecessor George W. Bush, his aides have said.

John Podesta, an aide in Obama's transition team, told The New York Times that Obama would give the green signal to stem cell research without waiting for a decision of the Congress as soon as he takes over Jan 20, 2009 from outgoing President Bush.

In 2007, President Bush vetoed the legislation to finance the research with public funds, for the second time in his presidential mandate, despite the fact that Congress supported a less restrictive resolution on the subject.

The Bush administration argued that the projected legislation put scientific investigation and ethical principles in conflict and violate moral principles.

US scientific community has overwhelmingly supported stem cell research as the harbinger of a new age of medical science.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body.

Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is alive. Stem cell research is said to have heralded new promises in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases that still baffle medical science.

Last updated on Nov 11^th, 2008 at 16:32 pm IST--IANS