President-elect Obama is expected to earmark billions of US dollars for stem-cell research, advancing a field of medicine that promises the end of misery for millions of people worldwide.

Stem cell research was politicized under Bush and federal funding has been poor not to mention the ground we lost in the race for stem cell research and usage to other countries, most notable China.

China is gaining popularity among a new breed of travelers: patients with incurable conditions who are visiting the country to receive experimental stem-cell treatments not offered in the United States. 

One company is now claiming a medical breakthrough, advertising that its treatments are restoring vision to blind children. It has ignited a firestorm of controversy in both China and in the U.S. 

Dr. Sean Hu, the 40-year-old chairman of Beike Biotechnology, is a medical doctor-turned-entrepreneur with a doctorate in biochemistry from a Swedish university. Less than three years ago, he set up Beike. Since then, 3,000 patients — most of them from China

Already, 600 foreigners have come to China and paid about $20,000 each for the stem-cell therapy, while even more Chinese patients are flocking for treatment.

The venture capital is flooding in, too. Hu, Beike’s chairman, says he has raised about $15 million in funding, although NPR could not verify the claim. He admits making a calculated decision to go into stem-cell research: As he puts it, you have to choose the area with the best return.

There is little doubt that the United States can make up for lost time and the idiocy of the Bush Administration as long Obama is moves swiftly to green light research and implementation.

AROUND the BLOGOSPHERE:

Vatican cardinal says Obama embryonic stem cell policy change … - “Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, the President of the Pontifical Council of Health Care, has responded to reports that President-elect Obama’s future administration will reverse a federal ban on human embryonic stem cell research …

Will Obama solve funding problem for stem cell research? - Federal funding for stem cell research has always been a cause of concern for stem cell researchers and supporters. With Obama’s victory, hopes are alive to solve the problem. Effective federal funding for stem cell research is crucial. …

Obama may reverse Bush policies on stem cells, drilling, abortion - WASHINGTON (CNN) – President-elect Barack Obama could reverse some of President Bush’s most controversial executive orders, including restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, shortly after taking office in January. …

Obama Win ‘Sigh of Relief’ for Stem Cell Research - "We are hopeful that removing restrictions on funding for stem cells will be one of the first acts of the Obama presidency," Daley said. "In the research community, we would all breathe a sigh of relief." …