Breakthrough in Stem-Cell Research

Groundbreaking new stem-cell research that uses ordinary skin cells instead of human embryos has done little to quell the moral quandary over stem-cell research.

President Bush in his State of the Union address Jan. 28 said the new research “has the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past.”

That hasn’t happened since the breakthrough last November.

Instead, scientists around the world quickly cautioned that years of work remained to perfect the technique, and continuing work on embryonic stem cells is an essential part of that process. And, scientists said, they also need money to continue embryonic studies.

Several states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin—have continued to lead the world in financial and political support for stem-cell research. Three states—Iowa, Massachusetts and Missouri—have made the research legal, but not offered state funding, while six states—Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota and South Dakota—have taken the path of most developed countries and restricted the studies.

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