President Obama Monday overturned the controversial ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research enacted by President Bush eight years ago. The decision is welcome news for medical researchers.

Supporters believe increased research could uncover cures for several ailments. The University of Nebraska Medical Center held a news conference to talk about the president's decision.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. David Crouse says researchers will have access to at least 400 lines of additional stem cells, but there will be lots of rules in place, rules the National Institutes of Health will need to work out over the next few months.

"It will not be without guidelines. It will not be without restrictions. There will be guidelines, there will be restrictions and we're all comfortable that the current administration will develop those kinds of guidelines and restrictions that scientists will be able to work with. So that's what we're anticipating, but I don't expect it to happen overnight."

Anti-abortion advocates oppose embryonic stem cell research because isolating the cells destroys embryos. They believe human life begins at conception and that destroying an embryo is immoral.