A: Stem cell research has become associated with abortion because it can involve the use of embryonic stem cells. There is a great deal of misunderstanding concerning the current laws and policies surrounding this topic. In truth, there is no total restriction on stem cell research in the United States. The restrictions imposed are for "embryonic stem cell research" and the policy restricts utilizing federal funds (tax dollars) for embryonic stem cell research, it does not ban all stem cell research as the public is often lead to believe. Researchers in the United States are free to use pre-existing lines using federal money and new lines using private funding to pursue embryonic stem cell research.
I will support stem-cell research by the private sector, but would withhold federal funds (tax dollars) from use in this research because the U.S. Constitution does not provide for the federal funding of biomedical research.
A: Embryonic stem cell research in fact is flourishing at Universities as well as through private grants across the United States. Not to mention the work being accomplished worldwide. The report "Monitoring Stem Cell Research" by The President's Council on Bioethics released in January 2004 does a great job of separating the fact from fiction in regards to current policy regarding stem cell research in the United States. I will support stem-cell research by the private sector, but would withhold federal funds (tax dollars) from use in this research because the U.S. Constitution does not provide for the federal funding of biomedical research.