President Barack Obama plans to reverse former President George W. Bush's policy limiting U.S. funding of embryonic stem-cell research, officials said.
Citing White House officials, The New York Times reported Friday that Obama has invited stem-cell research advocates to a White House ceremony Monday, where he will announce the policy reversal.
Obama supported such research as a presidential candidate.
Some scientists believe embryonic stem cells have the potential to provide tissue to replace defective organs or cells — possibly offering groundbreaking treatment for an array of illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and Parkinson's disease — because such cells have the ability to develop into any type of cell present in the body, the Times said.
However, embryonic stem-cell research involves creation of cells by destroying human embryos, a condition that troubles many on moral and ethical grounds.
Bush in 2001 announced that U.S. policy would not ban federal embryonic stem-cell research but would limit it to the use of existing lines of cells because the necessary embryonic destruction had already occurred.
One research advocate told the Times that advocates were being told Friday the president will pledge Monday to "keep politics out of science."
Stem-cell research supporters including Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., are on the list of those invited to Monday's announcement, the Times said.
