Ever since the discovery of embryonic stem cells a decade ago, science has linked them as the key to one day helping to find better treatments and cures for a wide variety of health problems. But a ban on more federal funding meant many in the field of stem cell biology didn't have access to the technology to do the work. NY1's Kafi Drexel filed the following report.

Scientists say the first embryonic stem cell lines approved for use under President Barack Obama has opened up a whole new world of research, and may speed up work already underway to find cures for almost every health challenge from diabetes to spinal cord injuries.

With more than 90 lines still under review, the National Institutes of Health has approved 13 new human embryonic stem cell lines for research. Two of those lines were developed with the work of Dr. Scott Noggle, lab director at the privately funded New York Stem Cell Foundation, or NYSCF.

"What's really exciting about these stem cell lines is they have the ability to become just about anything, so we can study different diseases of different tissues. We can study how development occurs. There's a whole number of different research areas that the stem cell biology impacts," Noggle said.

"The only way to make progress ever is to have lots of labs work on it and then to have them share the information and then have the fields move forward. So by making these cell lines available for federally supported work, it means labs all across the country now will be free to use them," said Dr. Zach Hall of the NYSCF Board of Directors.

Just because new lines of stem cells are being made available it doesn't mean the controversy around the research has gone away.

In the past, when NY1 has covered a story at the lab, cameras have been allowed to show viewers what goes on inside. However, the exact location of the lab has never been disclosed -- a request NY1 is still being asked to honor.

There are many who still disagree with the research because of the origin of the stem cells, donated embryos left over from in vitro fertilization. The privately funded NYSCF lab was created as a safe haven to allow scientists to do research they'd be unable to do at academic institutions because of federal funding constraints.

Many restrictions still exist, including one major roadblock that
prohibits federal researchers to create their own stem cell lines. As a result, it has left a bulk of the work to scientists at labs like NYSCF.

"I think that the vast majority of people in this country want stem cell research to move ahead because the driving morality for them are their friends and family and people who love them who desperately need cures. There will always be a minority that disagrees with that, but I think the proof ultimately is going to be when we do have a cure," said NYSCF CEO Susan Solomon.

Scientists are now hoping that their new research will give them the advantage to achieve those results.