Last week, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., became one of the first major players in the Republican party to speak out in favor of a bill that passed through the U.S. House of Representatives, that would reduce the restrictions on stem cell research funding.

In an unexpected announcement, Frist told President George W. Bush that Bush's policies needed to be modified and should focus on expanding science.

Scientists, in previous years, have testified in front of the Senate to explain the benefits of expanding stem cell research. Frist, who is a heart and lung transplant surgeon, has superb credentials to speak about the topic.

Bush has remained staunchly against passing the bill, citing his faith as the reason behind his decision. However, the Bible is not the Constitution, which advocates separating church and state and the U.S. Constitution is not the Bible, either.

Though Bush is the country's commander in chief, he should not use his post as a stumping ground for his religious beliefs and should perhaps turn the attention more toward improving the quality of life for those who would stand to benefit from medical discoveries.

According to CNN, a recent poll suggests that more than 60 percent of Americans support stem cell research.

By taking this initiative, Frist could help continue the debate, since it seems to be in the best interest of the country, instead of shutting the door on innovative research that could have an extremely positive impact. By allowing restrictions to be loosened, the U.S. could remain one of the leaders in medical research.

Many findings show that embryonic stem cells could be used to help find cures for a variety of diseases, to create new blood cells, to aid in neurological disorder research and to help ailing patients who are suffering from paralysis.

Despite causing no harm to donors, many embryonic stem cells are currently frozen in the National Institutes of Health laboratories. The cells face the risk of being completely discarded, which would essentially waste possible resources that could aid researchers, if more support isn't given to the bill.

Since Frist is a high-ranking Republican and powerful voice on Capitol Hill, this may force President Bush to consider the public's opinion and reconsider his own.

Some reports have indicated that Frist made the announcement to help bolster moderates into supporting him for a possible 2008 presidential bid.

Either way, Frist made the right choice by making the announcement, which could be a crucial step into opening a dialogue on both the risks and benefits of expanding stem cell research.