WASHINGTON - Presidential contender Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said that, if elected, she will issue an executive order repealing the embryonic stem cell research ban.

Clinton accused U.S. President George W. Bush of carrying out a "war on science" that includes the stem cell research ban and the "muzzling" of scientists who author bleak reports on climate change, The Washington Times reported Friday.

"The Bush administration has declared war on science -- the record is breathtaking," Clinton told supporters at the Carnegie Institution of Washington. "When I am president, I will end this assault on science. America will once again be the innovation nation."

The former first lady said Bush has allowed "political appointees to censor studies on climate change," and has taken a "hostile approach" to reports on the dangers of global warming.

Clinton made mention of her childhood dream of growing up to be an astronaut and promised that her administration would pursue an "ambitious" space program that would include "robust" human space travel and a space-based climate change initiative.