On March 9, President Obama signed an order lifting the existing restrictions on embyronic stem-cell research, a move which researchers say could lead to dramatic advances in the understanding and treatment of conditions like diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

On March 9, President Obama signed an order lifting the existing restrictions on embyronic stem-cell research, a move which researchers say could lead to dramatic advances in the understanding and treatment of conditions like diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

The restrictions were imposed by George W. Bush in 2001. Bush’s policy was intended as a compromise: banning the use of federal funds for the creation of new embryonic stem-cell lines while allowing scientists to study the lines that had already been created. Researchers say those lines aren’t diverse enough and they have been eager to study hundreds of other lines, some of which contain specific genetic mutations for diseases like Parkinson’s.

Under the restrictions, scientists had to use different lab equipment for privately funded and government-funded research; in some cases even building separate lab space. There was also a negative effect on collaboration, with researchers supported by private money unable to team up with scientists funded by the government.

Earlier this year, the FDA approved the first clinical trial of embryonic stem cells in the United States earlier this year. Geron, a biotech company, will test embryonic stem cells derived from a government-approved line against spinal-cord injuries.

There is still controversy, however. Critics from the ranks of Republicans and conservative Christian groups disapprove of the use of embryos for medical research, and they’re not shy about communicating their views. They see the new guidelines as sanctioning the use of taxpayer dollars to subsidize the destruction of human life.