Fox praises Obama's stem cell decision

Michael J. Fox has praised President Obama for lifting a funding ban on stem cell research.

The actor, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, said he was thrilled that Obama had 'taken politics out of science'.

According to the Daily Star, he said: "Today is a new day. The last few years have been incredibly frustrating for patients and researchers who believe that embryonic stem cell research has the potential to bring better treatment...to many of the patients.

"I commend the President for recognising the inherent value of research freedom and creating an environment in which it can flourish."

The 47-year-old founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000, which has since become the largest private funder in the US of medical research into Parkinson's disease.

Fox has appeared in a number of televised campaigns endorsing political candidates who back federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.