US-President-elect visits White House

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One of the most high-profile issues Obama is expected to closely monitor after inauguration is stem cell research.

U.S. President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama meet in the Oval Office of the White House, November 10, 2008. (White House photo by Eric Draper/Handout/Reuters)

Bush has used his executive power to limit federal spending on embryonic stem cell.

Opponents of abortion rights championed that position.

They argue that destroying embryos is similar to killing a fetus.

Obama has supported research to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimers, cancer and Parkinson's Disease.

A medical research advocate says she hopes Obama will prioritize the issue of limits on federally funded stem cell research as soon as he assumes his post in the Oval Office.

Amy Comstock Rice. President of Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research, said, "Time really matters on this issue and this is an issue that does not require Congress. President Bush issued his policy using his executive authority, then President Obama will be able to do the same and lift this and the science can move forward."

In addition, Obama is also expected to carefully review other issues including oil drilling in Utah state and US aid to overseas family planning programs.

Speaking on the possibility of policy reversals by Obama, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino strongly defended Bush's executive orders.

She said all of the current administration's policies have been carefully considered before implementation. But she also added that presidents have been able to use their executive power to reverse certain policies, throughout history.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei