Obama Reverses Federal Funding Ban On Stem Cell Research

Today President Obama signed an order allowing federal taxpayer dollars to fund embryonic stem cell research. His decision is a reversal of George W. Bush's order that limited federal research to 21 stem cell lines that were created before August 9, 2001. The order leaves the decision of using federal money for research up to Congress. Since 1996, the Dickey-Wicker amendment has banned using tax dollars on embryonic stem cell research. Supporters of the decision hope it will lead to advances in treating conditions like Parkinson's and paralysis. Opponents maintain that it is morally wrong. Larry Mantle talks with guests on both sides of the issue inclding Dr. Arnold Kriegstein of UCSF, Dr. Hans Keirstead of UCI, Robert Klein, Chairman of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Carrie Gordon Earll of Focus On The Family.