On Monday March 9, 2009 President Obama lifted the strict limitations the Bush administration had placed on embryonic stem cell research, stating that his administration will, "make decisions based on facts, not ideology." For years, the issue of embryonic stem cell research has been a controversial divide within our country, but Obama is taking a step that will allow us to move forward in our research and progress in the scientific community.
Obama was very careful in addresssing this issue, as many people are morally opposed to it while others see it as the only opportunity to progress in science and learn more about diseases that can afflict people through life. Obama was successful in the fact that even though his views on this issue are very liberal and open, he still wants to respect the viewpoints of the more conservative citizens.
I think the author of this article, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, accurately represented both liberals and conservatives, as she was very objective and did not let her own personal biases affect her article. Stolberg quoted both people supporting Obama's decision and people against it, and the article presented Obama in a light which all citizens can respect.
Obama believes in human embryonic stem cell research, but only for essential scientific purposes, as he draws the line at human cloning, believing in has no part in our society, or any other society for that matter.
Obama passing legislation to support this issue represents a huge change from the previous policies put in place by the Bush administration; a change that many people have been waiting years to see.
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Hi Megan,
I couldn't find this article for some reason on a quick google search (I really don't know why, probably just because there was so many articles out there about stem cell research)but I agree with your statement that Obama has to be respectful to both liberals and conservatives when dealing with an issue such as embryonic stem cell research. After all, not only does this issue concern personal preferences and idealogies but it is also closely tied into religion, and ethics/morals. Such an issue can not be taken lightly and Obama is going to have to continue to be careful and tread lightly in his treatment of this issue.
It sounds like the author also did a good job of writing about the issue. Anyone who discusses stem cell research really should consider it from both points of view. And a journalist definately needs to include support for both sides.
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