U.S. federal stem cell legislation – SourceWatch

The issue of stem cell research, particularly embryonic stem cell research, became a high-profile political issue in the U.S. during the first year of President George W. Bush's term in office (2001). On August 9, 2001, Bush enacted a ban on federal spending for the purpose of deriving new embryonic stem cells from fertilized embryos. He argued that performing research on embryos is destroying human life, and should therefore be avoided. Both the 109th and 110th Congresses passed bills overturning the ban, but both were vetoed by Bush. During the 109th Congress, both houses also passed and Bush signed a bill banning the creation of human fetuses with the sole purpose of destroying them and harvesting their body parts. The Senate also passed a bill encouraging research into the creation of stem cell lines without destroying human embryos.

While both Democrats and Republicans have advocated for expanded federal funding for stem cell research, the debate over embryonic stem cells tends to be more polarized. Democrats are generally supportive of expanding embryonic research, while Republicans tend to favor expanding only other types of stem cell research that do not involve the harming of human embryos. [1]

Opponents of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, including the Heritage Foundation, have argued that [more here].

Legislation governing stem cells in the 110th Congress (2007-2008) generally fell into two categories: bills seeking to expand the funding of embryonic stem cell research and bills seeking to expand stem cell research without using human embryonic stem cells.

The principle vehicle for expanding the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research in 2007 was the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R.3).

On January 11, 2007, the Democratic-controlled House passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R.3), sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), lifting the restriction on new federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research implemented by President Bush in 2001. Under this bill, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be directed to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells. [2]

Under the bill, the cells eligible for use would be required to come from excess human embryos, smaller than the head of a pin, donated from in-vitro fertilization clinics. The cells would have had to have been created for the purpose of fertility treatment. Once a woman was successfully fertilized, the extra cells could be donated for research. In particular, the bill required that prior to the consideration of donating the embryo and through consultation with individuals seeking fertility treatment, it must have been determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded.[3]

To avoid cell farming and other efforts to profit from providing stem cells, the bill would require that the individuals seeking fertility treatment donate the embryos with written informed consent and without receiving any financial or other inducements to make the donation.[4]

The final vote was 253-174, thirty-seven votes short of a veto-proof majority. As expected, President Bush promised to veto the bill if it reached his desk. The White House issued a statement saying, "The administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 3, which would use federal taxpayer dollars to support and encourage the destruction of human life for research...If H.R. 3 were presented to the president, he would veto the bill."[5]

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U.S. federal stem cell legislation - SourceWatch