Sands Applauds President Obama's Reversal of Restrictions on Stem Cell Research‏

Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands today endorsed President Barack Obama’s expected signing of an executive order reversing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

President Obama’s executive order is expected to be signed on Monday.

Long a strong proponent of stem cell research, Sands (D-Weston) has proposed creating a fund for Florida to invest in embryonic stem cell research. He has fervently argued that such a fund would deliver an economic boost to Florida and allow nationally-recognized research firms to draw investment capital as well as National Institutes of Health monies.

Legislation sponsored by Representative Sands in 2005 would have made possible embryonic stem cell research and other forms of stem cell research.

“I applaud President Obama’s initiative and understanding of this most critical research need,” Representative Sands said. “We have always maintained hope that this would happen and we are never going to give up this fight because we believe it’s the right thing to do.

“President Obama’s executive order reversing these arbitrary restrictions on federal funding of this research will improve the quality of life for many Floridians and finally open the door to the United States being able to lead the world in conducting such important research.”