Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama lifted, by Executive Order, the Bush administration's eight-year ban on federal funding of embryonic stem research.

Remarked the President, "Today... we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers, doctors and innovators, patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years."

See Obama's Remarks on Lifting the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ban, in which he also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing development of a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision-making.

BUSH VETOES IN 2006, 2007

In 2005, H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, was passed by the Republican-led House in May 2005 by a vote of 238 to 194. The Senate passed the bill in July 2006 by a bipartisan vote of 63 to 37.

President Bush opposed embryonic stem cell research on ideological grounds. He exercised his first presidential veto on July 19, 2006 when he refused to allow H.R. 810 to become law. Congress was unable to muster enough votes to override the veto.

In April 2007, the Democratic-led Senate passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 by a vote of 63 to 34. In June 2007, the House passed the legislation by a vote of 247 to 176.

President Bush vetoed the bill on June 20, 2007.

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

For years, all polls report that the American public STRONGLY supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

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Pros & Cons of Embryonic Stem Cell Research