March 9, 2009

Washington, DC—Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement today after President Obama signed an executive order overturning President Bush’s flawed stem cell policy:

“President Obama today offered the hope of better treatments and cures to millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases.  I applaud President Obama for restoring scientific integrity to government and ensuring we value science over ideology.
 
“President Obama’s policy has strong support in the Senate, where in each of the past two Congresses we have passed bipartisan stem cell legislation.  The President’s executive order supports not only the position of Congress, but that of the majority of Americans and hundreds of leading medical and scientific associations and research universities, and dozens of patient-advocacy organizations representing millions of Americans.
 
“Since 2001, our most promising scientists have been forced to work with one hand tied behind their backs.  Our nation’s new stem cell policy will now help them in their quest to find lifesaving cures.”