Obama in stem cell u-turn

Barack Obama will lift George Bush’s restrictions on government funding for stem cell research.

The long-promised move, coming nearly two months into his term, will allow a rush of research aimed at better treatment, if not cures, for ailments from diabetes to paralysis.

Backing for the research crosses US party lines, with notable supporters including Nancy Reagan and the late 'Superman' actor Christopher Reeve, but stirs intense controversy over whether the government crosses a moral line.