Barack Obama has two months before he is sworn in as President of the United States. Until then his transition team is looking at President George W. Bush’s executive orders while Obama considers his decisions on Bush policies.
     CNN reported that the executive orders under review include policies on stem cells, abortion and the detainees in Guantanamo Bay. Presidents can use their executive authority to create these orders and use federal agencies to implement and enforce them.
     Matthew Perrone from Associated Press reports that the stem cell industry has much to gain under the Obama Administration since Obama pledged to overturn the 2001 policy, which prohibits government funds for research involving the harvesting of new stem cells. However, stem cell researchers also face an investment climate created by the recent financial crisis.
     "The good news is there will finally be freedom to operate. The bad news is there will be no more venture capital, which is the real freedom," Stephen Brozak, an analyst with WBB Securities, said to AP.
     Scott Allen, Lexington senior, said that, while he agreed with Bush’s decision to halt harvesting any more new stem cells from fetuses, he believes there is potential in the stem cell field.
     "We should continue the research with what we have until we find new ways to get more stem cells, which we have now. What Obama could do about it is definitely put more funding into it. This is something that’s already getting started. This is something that he can build the presidency on," Allen said.
     CNN reported that the executive order regarding abortions deals "with a so-called ‘gag’ order on international aid organizations regarding abortion." Obama is also looking at a policy that prevents tax dollars from funding any group that performs or promotes abortions overseas.
     "I’m very in favor of pro-life and what Bush tried to support. It’ll be interesting to see what Obama does with that, if he’s going to try to move [the abortion issue] on farther," Lee Blankenship, Spiro senior, said.
     AP reported that Obama wants to close down the detention center at U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. CNN reports that it may take longer to overturn this policy since Obama hasn't made a decision regarding whether the detainees should face military or civilian trials if moved to the U.S.
     "There is no process in place to make that decision until his national security and legal teams are assembled," Denis McDonough, a senior adviser to Obama, told CNN.