Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) said Friday he plans to reverse the restrictions placed on stem cell research by former governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. 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 to revisit the stem cell policy it approved last August. The 2005 stem cell law, which banned embryo farming and prohibited district attorneys from charging scientists who conducted embryonic stem cell research, was vetoed by the former governor. Romney's subsequent restrictions placed additional limits on embryo research. Patrick said reversing Romney's stem cell limitations will restore the legislature's intent.