lilithu
The Devil's Advocate
In November of 1998, after years of studying embryonic mouse stem cells, biologists at the University of Wisconsin figured out how to isolate stem cells from human embryos and grown them in culture. This opened the possibility of human embryonic stem cell research, the possibility for the cures of a number of debilitating diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, MS, ALS, heart disease... and a host of ethical questions that society has yet to answer. A search of Congressional legislation yields no legislative activity on stem cell research from 1989 (as far back as the online records go) to 1996. Starting in the 105th Congress (1997-1998) there was one piece of legislation on stem cell research, and about a half dozen attempting to ban human cloning, and there have been various pieces of legislation introduced ever since. So far in the current 109th session of Congress, 8 pending pieces of legislation relating to stem cell research have been introduced (or reintroduced from previous sessions) and referred to various committees. Hence, it is clear that the discovery led to Congressional activity but no legislative decision has been made at the federal level.
In the mean time, in 2001 President Bush federally funded embryonic stem cell research to pre-existing lines of cultured embryonic stem cells. There has been much debate over whether the existing cell lines are adequate for research. Of the original lines, only 11 remain. Bush only had the power to restrict federal funding, leaving an opening for embryonic stem cell research to continue funded by state and private money. In response to Bushs restrictions, in 2002, California became the first state to pass legislation that simultaneously prohibits human cloning and legally protects stem cell research. In 2004, New Jersey followed suit. Two other states, Arkansas and North Dakota have voted to ban all types of human cloning, including therapeutic cloning (the intentional creation of embryonic stem cells). Bills both favoring and against stem cell research are currently pending in 25 states. While Congress has yet to act, the issue of stem cell research is being decided at the state level.
It is interesting to note that the two states who have passed legislation in favor of "therapeutic cloning" are both economically dependant on biomedical research companies within their borders. In contrast, the two states that have banned "therapeutic cloning" both have strong, organized represenation from the religious right. Because embryonic stem cell research requires harvesting from human embryos, this issue has been emotionally linked with the abortion issue. However, the majority of embryos are created in vitro (never see a human womb), some for the express purpose of research, but much more often for the purpose of human fertility treatments (in vitro fertilization). These embryos are frozen for storage at a few days development and would be otherwise destroyed. On the other hand, some believe that a human embryo is a human being at conception, with all the rights thereofe. Still others worry that embryonic stem cell research will further erode our respect for human life.
What are your views on this issue?
In the mean time, in 2001 President Bush federally funded embryonic stem cell research to pre-existing lines of cultured embryonic stem cells. There has been much debate over whether the existing cell lines are adequate for research. Of the original lines, only 11 remain. Bush only had the power to restrict federal funding, leaving an opening for embryonic stem cell research to continue funded by state and private money. In response to Bushs restrictions, in 2002, California became the first state to pass legislation that simultaneously prohibits human cloning and legally protects stem cell research. In 2004, New Jersey followed suit. Two other states, Arkansas and North Dakota have voted to ban all types of human cloning, including therapeutic cloning (the intentional creation of embryonic stem cells). Bills both favoring and against stem cell research are currently pending in 25 states. While Congress has yet to act, the issue of stem cell research is being decided at the state level.
It is interesting to note that the two states who have passed legislation in favor of "therapeutic cloning" are both economically dependant on biomedical research companies within their borders. In contrast, the two states that have banned "therapeutic cloning" both have strong, organized represenation from the religious right. Because embryonic stem cell research requires harvesting from human embryos, this issue has been emotionally linked with the abortion issue. However, the majority of embryos are created in vitro (never see a human womb), some for the express purpose of research, but much more often for the purpose of human fertility treatments (in vitro fertilization). These embryos are frozen for storage at a few days development and would be otherwise destroyed. On the other hand, some believe that a human embryo is a human being at conception, with all the rights thereofe. Still others worry that embryonic stem cell research will further erode our respect for human life.
What are your views on this issue?