Obama to Announce Stem Cell Order

WASHINGTON—Monday President Barack Obama dives into the stem cell debate.

Just back from Camp David, President Obama is scheduled to announce he is reversing the course set by President George W. Bush on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

President Obama plans to lift the funding limits on research set by President Bush eight years ago. The move will open hundreds of embryonic stem cell lines to study. As a result, scientists say that will increase the chances of breakthroughs in treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and heart disease.

However, critics touch on the abortion debate, opposing the sacrifice of discarded embryos to get the cells.

The announcement from President Obama is expected Monday morning. Meanwhile, researchers hope to access billions of stimulus dollars that need to be applied for and distributed to stem cell projects by next year.