Gov. Patrick wants to tick off the pro-lifers, too?

Governor Deval Patrick will announce this morning that he wants the Department of Public Health to reverse restrictions on stem cell research imposed by his predecessor, according to an administration official with direct knowledge of the governor's intentions...

Embryonic stem cells have the capacity to become any cell in the body, and scientists predict the research could lead to insights into diseases and, potentially, treatments.

The research has triggered opposition from antiabortion groups, however, because current methods of obtaining stem cells require destruction of embryos, which critics maintain is tantamount to taking a human life.

UPDATE: More from Big Bish, Lisa Wangsness, Jon Keller and Dan Kennedy.