Day 49: Obama Reverses Bush Action On Stem Cells

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: White House

(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

On his forty-ninth day in office, President Obama signed an executive order and memorandum overturning the Bush-era ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and directing the White House Office of Science and Technology to "develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision making."

"As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering," he said. "I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research – and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."

The president also ordered a review of President Bush's so-called signing statements, which often told officials how to implement laws. Mr. Obama sent memos to federal agencies directing them to review Mr. Bush's statements.

Below, watch Chip Reid's CBS Evening News report on the president's move on stem cell research.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by RosemaryBogdan March 10, 2009 5:17 PM EDT: How ironic that President Obama should use the word integrity in reference to the lifting of the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. Any scientific endeavor that does not have its firm foundation a profound respect for the mysterious sanctity of human life will always be utterly lacking in moral integrity.; Reply to this comment