Text of President Obama's remarks
Lifts ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research

Posted: March 09, 2009
2:44 pm Eastern

© 2009 WorldNetDaily

President Obama shakes hands with Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, who was 
paralyzed at the age of 16, during a ceremony at the White House today in 
which he signed the Stem Cell Executive Order and Presidential Memorandum on 
Scientific Integrity
East Room
11:47 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please, have a seat. Thank you much. Well, I'm 
excited too. (Laughter.)
Today, with the executive order I am about to sign, we will bring the change 
that so many scientists and researchers, doctors and innovators, patients 
and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: We 
will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell 
research. (Applause.) We will also vigorously support scientists who pursue 
this research. (Applause.) And we will aim for America to lead the world in 
the discoveries it one day may yield.
At this moment, the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown, and 
it should not be overstated. But scientists believe these tiny cells may 
have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our 
most devastating diseases and conditions: to regenerate a severed spinal 
cord and lift someone from a wheelchair; to spur insulin production and 
spare a child from a lifetime of needles; to treat Parkinson's, cancer, 
heart disease and others that affect millions of Americans and the people 
who love them.
But that potential will not reveal itself on its own. Medical miracles do 
not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly 
research, from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears 
fruit, and from a government willing to support that work. From life-saving 
vaccines, to pioneering cancer treatments, to the sequencing of the human 
genome - that is the story of scientific progress in America. When 
government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed. 
Promising avenues go unexplored. Some of our best scientists leave for other 
countries that will sponsor their work. And those countries may surge ahead 
of ours in the advances that transform our lives.
In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering 
discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice 
between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are 
not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for 
each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given 
the capacity and will to pursue this research - and the humanity and 
conscience to do so responsibly.
It's a difficult and delicate balance. And many thoughtful and decent people 
are conflicted about, or strongly oppose, this research. And I understand 
their concerns, and I believe that we must respect their point of view.
But after much discussion, debate and reflection, the proper course has 
become clear. The majority of Americans - from across the political 
spectrum, and from all backgrounds and beliefs - have come to a consensus 
that we should pursue this research; that the potential it offers is great, 
and with proper guidelines and strict oversight, the perils can be avoided.
That is a conclusion with which I agree. And that is why I am signing this 
executive order, and why I hope Congress will act on a bipartisan basis to 
provide further support for this research. We are joined today by many 
leaders who have reached across the aisle to champion this cause, and I 
commend all of them who are here for that work.
Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we 
seek. No President can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek 
them - actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for 
lost ground. Not just by opening up this new front of research today, but by 
supporting promising research of all kinds, including groundbreaking work to 
convert ordinary human cells into ones that resemble embryonic stem cells.
I can also promise that we will never undertake this research lightly. We 
will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly 
conducted. We will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously 
enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse. And we will ensure 
that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human 
reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our 
society, or any society.
Now, this order is an important step in advancing the cause of science in 
America. But let's be clear: Promoting science isn't just about providing 
resources - it's also about protecting free and open inquiry. It's about 
letting scientists like those who are here today do their jobs, free from 
manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's 
inconvenient - especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that 
scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political 
agenda - and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology. 
(Applause.)
By doing this, we will ensure America's continued global leadership in 
scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs. And that is 
essential not only for our economic prosperity, but for the progress of all 
humanity.
And that's why today I'm also signing a Presidential Memorandum directing 
the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to 
develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government 
decision-making - (applause) - to ensure that in this new administration, we 
base our public policies on the soundest science; that we appoint scientific 
advisors based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or 
ideology; and that we are open and honest with the American people about the 
science behind our decisions. That's how we'll harness the power of science 
to achieve our goals - to preserve our environment and protect our national 
security; to create the jobs of the future, and live longer, healthier 
lives.
As we restore our commitment to science and expand funding for promising 
stem cell research, we owe a debt of gratitude to so many tireless 
advocates, some of whom are with us today, many of whom are not. Today, we 
honor all those whose names we don't know, who organized and raised 
awareness and kept on fighting - even when it was too late for them, or for 
the people they love. And we honor those we know, who used their influence 
to help others and bring attention to this cause - people like Christopher 
and Dana Reeve, who we wish could be here to see this moment.
One of Christopher's friends recalled that he hung a sign on the wall of the 
exercise room where he did his grueling regimen of physical therapy. And it 
read: "For everyone who thought I couldn't do it. For everyone who thought I 
shouldn't do it. For everyone who said it's impossible. See you at the 
finish line."
Christopher once told a reporter who was interviewing him: If you came back 
here 10 - "If you came back here in 10 years, I expect that I'd walk to the 
door to greet you."
Now, Christopher did not get that chance. But if we pursue this research, 
maybe one day - maybe not in our lifetime, or even in our children's 
lifetime - but maybe one day, others like Christopher Reeves might.
There's no finish line in the work of science. The race is always with us - 
the urgent work of giving substance to hope and answering those many bedside 
prayers, of seeking a day when words like "terminal" and "incurable" are 
potentially retired from our vocabulary.
Today, using every resource at our disposal, with renewed determination to 
lead the world in the discoveries of this new century, we rededicate 
ourselves to this work.
Before I sign, I want to just note the people who are on the stage with me. 
In addition to our outstanding Secretary of Energy, Secretary Chu; we also 
have Dr. Patricia Bath; we have Dr. H. Robert Horvitz; we have Dr. Janet 
Rowley; Dr. Harold Varmus, who's going to be the co-chair of my President's 
Council on Science; we've got Dr. Michael Bishop; and we also have Dr. Peter 
Agre. So these are an example of the outstanding scientists who we hope will 
guide us through this process in the years to come.
And with them standing beside me, I'd also like to invite some of my 
colleagues from Congress who have done just such extraordinary work to share 
in the limelight, because you guys are still going to have some work to do, 
and - but it's because of the leadership of so many of you across partisan 
lines that we've been able to accomplish so much already.
So thank you very much, everybody. Let's go sign this. (Applause.)
(The executive order is signed.) (Applause.)

Rayilyn Brown
Director AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
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