Guide Note

Stem cells have the ability to change into many different types of cells in the body. When a stem cell divides it can either stay as a stem cell or become another type of cell such as a muscle cell, brain cell or red blood cell. Because of the ability of human embryonic stem cells to differentiate into specialized cell types, it has been postulated that they could be used to heal traumatic injuries or cure degenerative conditions (such as Parkinson's Disease and genetic diseases.

The creation and use of human embryonic stem cells for scientific research has sparked significant controversy, particularly in the aftermath of President Bush's 2001 decision to limit federal funds for research on already-active stem cell lines.

Stem Cell Fast Facts

Foundation of every organ, tissue and cell of body
Have ability to regenerate tissue
Types studied: Embryonic, adult
Stem cells can be taken from umbilical cords, placenta, amniotic fluid, adult tissue and organs, fat from liposuction, regions of the nose and cadavers up to 20 hours after death

Key Dates

January 22, 1973: Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizes abortion nationwide
1995: National Institute of Health Human Embryo Research Panel recommends President Bill Clinton fund experimentation on embryos left over from In-Vitro Fertilization procedures
August 9, 2001: Bush Administration permits research only on existing lines of stem cells, denying federal funds to any projects that destroy embryos

Key Legislation

2005:
- Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act: This bill, which would have permitted federal funding for research on stem cells derived from discarded human embryos that had been used in fertility treatments, was the first legislation vetoed by George W. Bush

Categories

News | Politics | Health News | Political Issues and Controversies | Science and Technology News | Social Issues | Bioethics

View Note History

Stem Cell Research

Also Try: Cloning | Dolly Cloning

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Stem Cell
National Institutes of Health: Stem Cell Information
DoNoHarm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics
The White House: President Discusses Stem Cell Research
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): Stem Cell Research and Applications
PBS Online NewsHour: Stem Cell Research
Video: Everything You Wanted To Know About Stem Cells... But... (Time 51:38)

Stem Cell Research Recent News Stories

Yahoo! News: Full Coverage: Stem Cell Research
FOXNews.com: Stem Cell Research News
MSNBC.com: Stem Cell Research coverage
HealthDay: Embryonic Stem Cells Turned Into Three Types of Heart Cells (April 23, 2008)
HealthDay: Researchers Create Protective Sac for Growing Stem Cells (March 27, 2008)
HealthDay: Blood Stem Cells Originate in the Placenta (March 7, 2008)
HealthDay: Researchers Make Stem Cells That Secrete Insulin (February 20, 2008)
HealthDay: Scientists Show Stem Cells Don't Cause Cancer (February 14, 2008)
Reuters: Pope says some science shatters human dignity (January 31, 2008)
- Pope Benedict said on Thursday that embryonic stem cell research, artificial insemination and the prospect of human cloning had "shattered" human dignity.
Technology Review: Growing New Hearts from Old (January 14, 2008)
Wired: Science: Sorting Hack Uses Electricity to ID Types of Stem Cells (January 14, 2008)
The New York Times: Team Creates Rat Heart Using Cells of Baby Rats (January 14, 2008)
- Dr. Doris A. Taylor, head of the University of Minnesota team responsible for creating the heart: "We just took nature's own building blocks to build a new organ."
Reuters: New stem cell method shows potential in every cell (November 20, 2007)
CNN.com: All sides in stem cell debate claim vindication (November 20, 2007)
MSNBC: Bush to veto stem cell bill Wednesday (June 20, 2007)
Reuters: Senate Votes to Ease Bush Stem Cell Limits (April 11, 2007)
Reuters: Stem Cell Transplant Promising for Type 1 Diabetes (April 10, 2007)
Washington Post: Stem Cell Bill Gets Bush's First Veto (July 20, 2006)

Stem Cell Research Background

The White House: Fact Sheet: Embryonic Stem Cell Research
CNN.com: In-Depth Special: The Stem Cell Debate
National Institutes of Health: Stem Cell Basics
House of Lords: Stem Cell Research Report
TIME: The Stem Cell Debate
The President's Council on Bioethics: Monitoring Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell Research Ethical Concerns and Criticisms

DoNoHarm: Commentary | The "Political Science" of Stem Cells
The President's Council on Bioethics: The President's Council on Bioethics
AmericanCatholic.org: Stem-cell Research and the Catholic Church (2007)
WashingtonPost.com: Critic Alleges Deceit in Study On Stem Cells (August 26, 2006)

Stem Cell Research Advocacy and Potential Uses

International Society for Stem Cell Research
UW-Madison: Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Nature.com Search: Stem Cells
NewScientist: Stem Cells
CBS News: 60 Minutes: A Surplus Of Embryos (February 12, 2006)
iFilm: Reeve Stem Cell PSA (Time: 1:33)

Stem Cell Research Message Boards and Blogs

Google Blog Search: Stem Cell Research
Media Matters: Stem Cell Research articles
ProLifeBlogs.com: Stem Cells Archives
Crooks and Liars: Senate Passes Stem Cell Bill (November 21, 2007)
Wired: President Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Legislation... (June 20, 2007)
Reason Magazine: Hit and Run: Embryonic Stem Cell Politics Update (June 20, 2007)
Redstate.com: Showing the Way on Stem Cells (June 20, 2007)
The Hillary Project: Hillary Clinton Would Make Taxpayers Fund Embryonic Stem Cell.. (June 20, 2007)

Stem Cell Research Videos and Media

Google Video: Stem Cells Videos
PBS: NOVA: Stem Cells
Gene Almanac: How Embryonic Stem Cell Lines are Made
YouTube: Everything You Wanted To Know About Stem Cells... But... (Time 51:38)
YouTube: Response Ad to Michael J. Fox (Time 1:01)
YouTube: Sam Harris: Stem Cells and Morality (Time 3:54)

Stem Cell Research Controversy Timeline

1969: First human in vitro fertilization
1995: Dickey Amendment prohibits federal funding for research that destroys embryos
2001: August 9, President Bush limits research to existing stem cell lines
2004: April, 206 members of Congress urge Bush to expand funding for research
2006: July 19, Bush vetoes Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
2006: October, Controversial ad featuring Michael J. Fox supports stem cell research
2007: June 20, President Bush vetoes second Stem Cell research bill

Related Searches

Cloning | Dolly Cloning | In-Vitro Fertilization | Parkinson's Disease | Diabetes | Paralysis | Christopher Reeve | Michael J. Fox | Claire McCaskill | George W. Bush | Catholic Church | Rush Limbaugh | Huntington's Chorea | Embryo