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Fox praises Obama for lifting stem cell ban Michael J. Fox has heaped praised on President Barack Obama for lifting an eight-year federal funding ban on stem cell research. Fox has been a strong advocate of embryonic stem cell studies since publicly disclosing his battle with Parkinson's disease in 1998, seven years after his diagnosis. He founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000, which has since become the largest private funder in the U.S. of medical research into the disease. And he's given a nod to Obama, who signed an executive order on Monday lifting limits placed by the administration of former President George W. Bush, who blocked the use of any government money to fund research on human embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001. Fox says, "Today is a new day. I'm thrilled to see President Obama has honored his commitment to get politics out of science. The last few years have been incredibly frustrating for patents and researchers who believe that embryonic stem cell research has the potential to bring better treatment... to many of the patients. I commend the President for recognizing the inherent value of research freedom and creating an environment in which it can flourish." Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn