A fundamental switch in scientific policy

Barack Obama's announcement yesterday that he is lifting the restrictions on federally funded embryonic stem-cell research has gone down well across much of the world as another sign of the administration's determination to break with the Bush era.

What may have missed in the headlines in the Obama administration's is told by the New York Times which says he has

“guaranteed scientific integrity” in federal policy making could have a far-reaching impact, affecting issues as varied as climate change, national security, protection of endangered species and children’s health.