Obama Supports Sound Science

Science really took a beating during the Bush administration, so President Obama is a breath of fresh air. The New York Times reports:

President Obama will announce Monday that he is reversing Bush administration limits on federal financing for embryonic stem cell research as part of a pledge to separate science and politics, White House officials said Friday.

As a presidential candidate, Mr. Obama spoke out in favor of stem cell research, so his intention to undo the curbs put in place by President George W. Bush is not surprising. But the decision is nonetheless of great interest, involving a long-controversial intersection of science and personal moral beliefs.

The officials said that advocates of unfettered stem cell research, as well as about 30 Democratic and Republican lawmakers who support it, had been invited to a White House ceremony scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Eastern time, when Mr. Obama is expected to make an announcement.

This could open the door to significant breakthroughs in treating Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and any number of other illnesses.

The economy is a huge issue, but it's good to see the president giving attention to some of the other disastrous messes left behind by George W. Bush.