Since his inauguration on 20 January 2009, US President Barack Obama has been busy reversing and dismantling many of his predecessor's decisions and policies. Seven weeks into his presidency, he finally lifted the controversial restraints on embryonic‐stem‐cell research that had barred the National Institutes of Health (NIH; Bethesda, MD, USA) from funding projects beyond using the 60 extant cell lines—only 21 of which were viable. From the moment former President George W. Bush introduced this legislation in August 2001, embryonic‐stem‐cell researchers had to find other sources of funding to develop new lines. > …the pro‐life movement, which had kept a relatively low profile during the 2008 political season, attacked the president's policy… President Obama, who was delivering on a campaign promise, said: “At this moment, the full promise of stem‐cell research remains unknown, and it should not be overstated. But scientists believe these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions: to regenerate a severed spinal cord and lift someone from a wheelchair; to spur insulin production and spare a child from a lifetime of needles; to treat Parkinson's, cancer, heart disease and others that affect millions of Americans and the people who love them.” The president also called on Congress to provide legislative backing and funding for the research, for which public support has grown in recent years. President Obama emphasized that his order did not open “the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction.” Even before President Obama announced his decision, two members of Congress—Democrat Diana DeGette, representing the First District of Colorado, and Republican Mike Castle, Representative for Delaware—had re‐introduced legislation to the House of Representatives on 4 February 2009 that would legally support federal funding for embryonic‐stem‐cell research; similar legislation was introduced …