"Stem cell controversy is the ethical debate centered around research involving the creation, usage and destruction of human embryonic stem cells."
"Some opponents of the research argue that this practice is a slippery slope to reproductive cloning and fundamentally devalues the worth of a human being. Contrarily, medical researchers in the field argue that it is necessary to pursue embryonic stem cell research because the resultant technologies could have significant medical potential, and that excess embryos created for in vitro fertilization could be donated with consent and used for the research. This in turn, conflicts with opponents in the pro-life movement, who advocate for the protection of human embryos. The ensuing debate has prompted authorities around the world to seek regulatory frameworks and highlighted the fact that embryonic stem cell research represents a social and ethical challenge."
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell_controversy
President Signs Executive Order Approving Federal Funds for Stem Cell Research
FDA Approves Stem Cell Study for Spinal Injuries
Obama Win 'Sigh of Relief' for Stem Cell Research - November 2008
View ABC News' STEM CELL SUPPORT Blog
I was on the Channel 8 News - 3/9/09
The Bush Decision (August 2001)- Bush agreed to private funding for research.
We Must Proceed With Great Care (2001)- "By allowing (limited) federal funding for research only on stem cells that have already been harvested, he could argue that he was upholding his campaign promise not to promote research that requires destroying embryos."
Bush's "Reasons" The First Lady backs Bush up!
The Great Debate Over Stem Cell Research (2001)
On August 9th, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that federal funds may be awarded for research using human embryonic stem cells if the following criteria are met:
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The derivation process (which begins with the destruction of the embryo) was initiated prior to 9:00 P.M. EDT on August 9, 2001.
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The stem cells must have been derived from an embryo that was created for reproductive purposes and was no longer needed.
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Informed consent must have been obtained for the donation of the embryo and that donation must not have involved financial inducements
Liberal laws and generous funding have made Europe a leading power in stem-cell research.
PRAVDA Article (November 2005)- "Russian Scientists Conduct Successful Stem Cells Experiment to Cure Spinal Cord Injuries"
"Still, the Adult Stem Cells recently claimed have proved futile in treating human illness. Research with Embryonic Stem Cells has progressed at snail's pace simply because they are so terribly difficult to work with compared with ASCs. They suffer from immune-system rejection problems; they often cause tumors called teratomas; they are extremely difficult to convert to a specific type of cell."
Embryonic Vs. Adult (Stem Cell similarities and differences)
"I believe that a cure for spinal cord injury is not only possible but can happen rapidly quickly if there was adequate investment into therapy development. We now know that the spinal cord can regenerate and we need to find the best way to encourage that regeneration. Cell transplants, growth factors, blocking growth inhibitors, and even stem cells for replacing lost neurons should be achievable. But to get to the cure, we must work together to ensure that the research goes forward, that clinical trials are done, and the treatments become available to people."
- Dr. Wise Young
The Science of Growing Body Parts (2007)
Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs (2007)
The Year in Medicine From A - Z (November 2007)