Stem Cell Legislation

Stem Cell Research and Associated Legislation

Perhaps one of the most controversial series of legislative acts in today’s culture, that of stem cell research, has been attacked on all ends of the ethical spectrum. Ramifications of stem cell research are present in form of ethics, religion, politics, and morality. In recent years, federal legislation for the advancement of funding has been reexamined by President Bill Clinton, then by President George W. Bush, and most recently by President Barack Obama. Their viewpoints have been constituted to be that of political and religious standpoints rather than scientific or moral argument by factions on both sides of the debate. Personally, I have examined both sides of the controversial issue and am advocating for the continued support of federal funding for stem cell research, my reasoning evident in this research.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells present in the early development of human growth. The scientific forefront for research into stem cells comes from their intrinsic abilities to differentiate and regenerate. The process of differentiation is the ability for these undeveloped cells to grow and transform into different cell types. This ability, according to research, may allow for tissue to grow in place of that which is destroyed by disease or birth defect. Cellular regeneration is the process of stem cells being able to divide and replicate in an effort to produce greater numbers of stem cells.

The scientific community argues that due to the possibly limitless potential for aiding in the explanation and treatment of the many biological nuances that plague the world, research is necessary and requires funding at the federal level. As stated in 1999 when Science magazine named stem cells the breakthrough of the year, stem cell research “raises hopes of dazzling medical applications” (Vogel, 1999).

Although government funding has been subject to immense scrutiny over the years, stem cell research...