A much anticipated White House conference took place today, during which a controversial order on stem cell research was signed into law. The ruling to allow federal funding for embryotic stem cell research was just one of the many issues addressed at the gathering.

On Saturday, December 20, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama’s weekly address, titled The search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us, touched on promises surrounding the very issues covered at today’s event:

“The truth is that promoting science isn’t just about providing resources—it’s about protecting free and open inquiry; It’s about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. It’s about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it’s inconvenient—especially when it’s inconvenient. Because the highest purpose of science is the search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us. That will be my goal as President of the United States—and I could not have a better team to guide me in this work.” -Barack Obama

And the will of the President to live up to these promises was clear, as he referred to the relationship of science and moral values as one of “false choice”, saying that the area of stem cell research rendered said relationship inconsistent. Mr. Obama’s religious beliefs, Christian, like his predecessor Bush’s, were confirmed as being brought into the decision during the announcement: not, however, in the same context of opposition to the practice.

The President maintained that as a person of faith, he believes that people are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering, and implied that stem cell research was a tool to be used with humanity and conscience to do so responsibly. Before signing the order, President Obama spoke out about his hopes for a bipartisan approach to the ruling, and acknowledged that “many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about, or strongly oppose,”, the research. That being said, however, the President expressed a positive attitude with regards to the potential of stem cells to treat life threatening illnesses, though urged the public to be cautious in their expectations in this early stage of development.

Research groups and advocates are hailing the day as the first step in recovering much of the lost ground suffered under what they deem a “senseless eight year ban”, sources say. Rather than draw up guidelines for the research himself, President Obama has entrusted the decision to the National Institute of Health (NIH), who will have four months to formulate legislation for the development of embryonic stem cells.

Taking into consideration the anti-abortion lobbyists and some members of Congress, who feel that the practice constitutes the murder of human life, President Obama said, “We will never undertake this research lightly,”, adding: “We will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse.”. Accommodation of these concerns should help dispel speculation following the Obama administration’s overturning of the “conscience” rule that the President has a personal vendetta against staunch Republicans.

A bipartisan approach, however, could be further away than an optimistic President would like, as a personal statement of dissent issued by Kansas Senator Sam Brownback shows: “If an embryo is a life, and I believe strongly that it is life, then no government has the right to sanction their destruction for research purposes.”. The belief of Sen. Brownback is that innovative new research into the use of skin cells for stem cell research negates the use of embryotic stem cells.

In attendance were, of note, several advocates of embryotic stem cell research who have themselves suffered for years with diseases the process could help in treating; Michael J. Fox, diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1991, has since expressed his joy at seeing the executive order signed. President Obama spoke emotively of Christopher and Dana Reeve, both of whom he wished could have been there to see the monumental address, before introducing and thanking many stem cell specialists who he hopes “will guide us through this process in the years to come.”.

Obama, in closing, signed 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.”, through establishing guidelines for the National Academy of Sciences and the International Society for Stem Cell Research.

The announcement is being referred to by genetic scientists as a “breath of fresh air” for the field of study.

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