U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive orderMonday reversing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cellresearch.
An administration official, speaking on condition ofanonymity, says President Obama will hold an event at the White Houseto announce the move.
Supporters say stem cell research can beused to make medical advances in treating diseases such as Alzheimer'sand Parkinson's or to treat spinal cord injuries. Critics say the useof human embryos for research is an immoral act which cannot bejustified, even if it achieves a good end.
The science iscontroversial because human embryos are destroyed to obtain the cells. Embryonic stem cells can develop into any cell of the body.
InAugust 2001, then-President George W. Bush banned federal funding forresearch using new lines of human embryonic stem cells beyond the linesalready in use.
He also vetoed congressional attempts to override the decision.