| Stem Cell Research Timeline 2007 Continues |
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bridges vol. 15, September 2007 / Bills in Brief: S&T Policy News As his final action on the Stem Cell policy timeline, President Bush announced his veto of the Stem Cell Research Act of 2007. The veto did not crush the fervor of the debate in the nation, as the states continue to mold the debate in their own hands. However, the debate platform has shifted from states like New Jersey or California, where more legislative progress has been made in favor of stem cell research, to the heartland of America where the research - specifically embryonic stem cell research - has been met with strong opposition. The issue of human cloning has resurfaced as the debates turn toward somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In all states where stem cell research policy and funding debates have been front-and-center, scientists are constantly reminded that if the state's legislative bodies bend to the will of anti-abortion activists who oppose human embryonic stem cell research, they stand to lose funding and jobs. By the same token, state governments must also consider that if they side with activists, they stand to lose a great resource - brainpower - a valuable portion of a state's worth. States hoping to profit from the projected curative potential of stem cells will have a hard time establishing themselves as locations for the industry if their policies make it difficult, or if support is withdrawn for scientists whose work requires human pluripotent stem cell lines. The following timeline highlights this quarter's stem cell research policy developments: Access to the full article is free, but requires you to register. Registration is simple and quick – all we need is your name and a valid e-mail address. We appreciate your interest in bridges. |
