WASHINGTON — Thwarted by President Bush in their efforts to expand federal spending on embryonic stem cell research, Democrats are now debating whether to overturn federal restrictions through executive order or by legislation when they assume full control of the government this month.
Both President-elect Barack Obama and Democratic Congressional leaders have made repealing Bush administration restrictions announced in 2001 a top priority. But they have yet to determine if Mr. Obama should quickly put his stamp on the issue by way of presidential directive, or if Congress should write a permanent policy into statute.
The debate is not academic. Democrats who oppose abortion say such a legislative fight holds the potential to get the year off to a difficult beginning, even though the outcome is certain given solid majorities in both the House and the Senate for expanded embryonic stem cell research.
“It is a very divisive issue, and it is a tough way to start,” said Senator Ben Nelson, a moderate Democrat from Nebraska. “You don’t want to stumble out of the box.”
Lou Gehrig's disease has ravaged Andy Guest's muscles to the point that he can barely move and breathe. But he still goes to concerts, still laughs and still finds joy in his children.
After seven years with ALS, the most nagging thing is the lung congestion.
Andy Guest endures it constantly.
It requires Pam Thomas, his companion, to set a pillow on his stomach and shove repeatedly with both arms.
At times, Guest signals for it every 10 minutes.
He needs it because the muscles he uses to breathe are so weak he can't cough on his own.
It's one more consequence of ALS -- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- also called Lou Gehrig's disease.
Guest, 43, felt the first hints in 2000 -- an odd burning in the calves, a slight clumsiness in one foot.
The following is the opening paragraph to a recent story in Science Daily:
There are many ways to die, but amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease must be one of the worst. By the time a patient notices muscle weakness, the neurons that control the muscles have already begun dying, in an untreatable process that brings death within two to five years.
Now maybe it just caught me at the wrong time but why is it that whenever I read about ALS it always has this sound of finality. Granted ALS is a horrible disease that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy but I chose to live with it not die from it. Am I going to be the one to beat it? I don't know but I can guarantee I'll be one of the ones that try.
I don't claim to speak for the ALS community and I realize that any publicity is good publicity when it comes to ALS but why aren't more of the stories we see about the strength of character, perserverance and spirit of those touched by this horrid disease. We've all seen the question, "Who's your hero?" I can tell you mine. They are the kids that have to go get chemo at St. Jude Children's hospital, they are people and families of those diagnosed with Alzheimers, they are each and every person with ALS and every person that cares for them. I respect the atheletes, actors and performers that many claim as heros but in my eyes it is the people with the strength to read things like that above on an almost daily basis and know otherwise.
Yes, ALS is progressive. No, there isn't a cure. No, there isn't an effective treatment. Yes, it is fatal. All I ask is that the next time you sit down to tell everyone that you just remember that there are somewhere around 30,000 - 40,000 people in the U.S. alone that are LIVING with ALS and most of us would be more than happy to tell you about it.
Former American Idol contestant Michael Johns will release his latest song, "Another Christmas," on iTunes Dec. 9 – and PEOPLE.com has an early listen.
The Australian singer will donate proceeds from the song's sale to fight Lou Gehrig's disease. He credits his friendship with Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell, whose mother Betty passed away in June after battling the disease, with raising his awareness of the illness and touching his heart.
"Losing a family member to such a horrible disease is just so hard," Johns said in a statement. "It is a disease that is not often talked about and does not get anywhere near the funding it should."
Listen to the track here:
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Johns first wrote the song in 2006, and says it's is about missing family over the holidays. "Not everyone can always get home," he says. "This does not mean people don't want to be there just sometimes life gets in the way. So, this is a song for them."
Former American Idol contestant Michael Johns will release his latest song, "Another Christmas," on iTunes Dec. 9 – and PEOPLE.com has an early listen. 
