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Michael J. Fox Commends Obama's Stance On Stem Cell Research

Monday, Mar 9, 2009 | Updated 4:00 PM CDT

Michael J. Fox is applauding President Barack Obama's recent 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," Fox said in a statement released to Access Hollywood.

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"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," the actor continued.

Fox, who has been battling Parkinson's disease for 16 years, said he sees more hope in the fight against Parkinson's with Obama in the White House.

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

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research has raised nearly $140 million to date, for research in combating the disease.

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