NEWYORK, NY — Michael J. Fox, actor, author, activist and founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, released the following statement on President Obama’s executive order overturning the ban on federal funding for research involving human embryonic stem cells:

“Today is a new day.  I could not be more thrilled to see President Obama live up to his commitment to get politics out of science.  We have seen, for the past eight years, how much damage the opposite approach has done to science and patients.  Now that the President has taken this critical action, I am excited by the prospect of American scientists carrying human embryonic stem cell research forward toward better treatments and cures that will affect countless millions of lives.  

“I commend the President for recognizing the inherent value of scientific freedom, and for helping to create an environment in which it can flourish.”

Katie Hood, CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, said:

“We are delighted that President Obama has signed a stem cell executive order, restoring a level of scientific freedom to this country that we believe is critical to the future. Our Foundation is optimistic about the work that will now continue toward better treatments and cures for the millions of people impacted by injury or disease.”