[JURIST] Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) [official profile] said Friday he plans to reverse the restrictions placed on stem cell research by former governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney [official profile; JURIST news archive]. Patrick emphasized during a meeting with the state Life Sciences Collaborative that "life sciences should be guided by science, not ideological politics."

He also announced his intention to ask the Massachusetts Public Health Council [official website] to revisit the stem cell policy it approved last August. The 2005 stem cell law [bill text], which banned embryo farming and prohibited district attorneys from charging scientists who conducted embryonic stem cell research, was vetoed by the former governor [JURIST report]. Romney's subsequent restrictions placed additional limits on embryo research. Patrick said reversing Romney's stem cell limitations will restore the legislature's intent. AP has more.