Stem Cell Research

The interest in stem cell research can date back to the introduction and popularity of microscopes in the 18^th century.  http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/physics/microscopes/timeline/

Cells were recognized as the building blocks of life and in the mid 1800’s the discovery was made that some cells could generate other cells. 

http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/history-of-stem-cell-research-faq.htm

Researchers found that various types of blood cells came from a particular “stem cell”. In 1963, Ernest A McCulloch and James E Till documented the first quantitative descriptions on self-renewing activities of transplanted mouse bone marrow cells.

http://www.ukscf.org/research/history.html

“In 1973 a moratorium was placed on government funding for human embryo research. In 1988 a NIH panel voted 19 to 2 in favor of government funding. In 1990, Congress voted to override the moratorium on government funding of embryonic stem cell research, which was vetoed by President George Bush. President Clinton lifted the ban, but changed his mind the following year after public outcry. Congress banned federal funding in 1995. In 1998 DHHS Secretary Sullivan extended the moratorium. In 2000, President Bill Clinton allowed funding of research on cells derived from aborted human fetuses, but not from embryonic cells. On August 9, 2001, President George W. Bush announced his decision to allow Federal funding of research only on existing human embryonic stem cell lines created prior to his announcement. His concern was to not foster the continued destruction of living human embryos. In 2004, both houses of Congress have asked President George W. Bush to review his policy on embryonic stem cell research. President George W. Bush released a statement reiterating his moral qualms about creating human embryos to destroy them, and refused to reverse the federal policy banning government funding of ESC research”.

http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/history-of-stem-cell-research-faq.htm

On April 26,2005 the National Academies released “Guidelines from Human Embryonic Cell Research and new guidelines and restrictions keep producing up until December 3. 2008.

In 2009 President Obama removes barriers to responsible scientific research involving human stem cells.

http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/history-of-stem-cell-research-faq.htm

The main players include scientists, religious leaders, government officials, investors, advocates, and potential patients.

The Republican platform opposes stem cell research while the Democrats support the research. Opponents believe that the destruction of a fertilized embryo for research purposes is immoral. Supporters disregard an embryo that will never mature to become a living being is a morally unsound act. The embryo in question could provide stem cells that in return could save lives.

However, this debate is not always black or white. Some support adult stem cell research, while others are against both embryonic and adult stem cell research. Concerns are also present for those who support the research such as technology and monetary abuse. The real question becomes whether or not society can handle the new power responsibly rather than whether progress is good or bad.

http://www.stemcellhistory.com/the-stem-cell-research-controversy/#more-13