The Embryonic Stem Cell Debate

Obama shifts policy on stem cells, but nation remains divided

Embryonic stem cells are special cells that are able to turn into any type of cell in the body. Scientists would like to harness their power in order to regenerate tissues in the body to treat a variety of health problems. The special properties of stem cells means that they could be used to treat cancer, spinal cord injuries, Parkinsons disease, diabetes, paralysis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimers disease, muscle damage and many more conditions.   

The controversy surrounding stem cell research arises due to the fact that starting a stem cell line requires destruction of a human embryo. The pro-life movement sees this as murder, since it sees a human embryo as a human life. They point out that there are other types of stem cells such as adult stem cells and induced pluripotent cells that do not require the destruction of an embryo.

This is why former President George W. Bush banned all federal funding for the creation of new embryonic stem cell lines. While federal funding was still available under Bush, it was only for the existing embryonic stem cell lines. Since there were only 21, they were not ethnically or genetically diverse enough for much of the research that researchers wanted to carry out.  

Proponents of embryonic stem cell research point out that the majority of embryonic stem cells come from embryos at in vitro fertilization clinics that are going to be discarded anyway. They also point out that while adult stem cells and induced pluripotent cells may prove to be very useful in treating disease, there are unique features of embryonic stem cells that make them important for research.  

This is why President Obama has decided to lift the ban on this funding for embryonic stem cells, and has committed federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Researchers rejoiced when this policy was made official in March of 2009, saying it would likely usher in a new era of medicine.

Americans remain divided on this issue. A Gallup poll conducted in February, 2009 revealed that 52% of Americans supported easing or lifting Bushs restrictions on stem cell research.  A May 2008 Gallup poll found that 62% of Americans believe that medical research using stem cells derived from human embryos, while only 30% believed it was morally wrong.

Only time will tell if embryonic stem cells can deliver the miracle treatments that scientists believe they may. Now that the ban on federal funding has been removed, scientists have been given a better chance to prove the value of stem cells. While this debate continues to rage, researchers will also continue to work on using adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in as many applications as possible.