Stem Cell Research Legislation
Ross Buscemi
The Legal Environment
Brian Swerine
Abstract
In researching stem cell legislation I found a wide variety of views both for and against. Legislation and Stem Cell Research has been a long running battle between Religious groups and Scientific Researchers placing the Government in the middle. Religious Groups and Anti-abortion groups claim that it is unethical to use embryonic stem cells. They firmly believe that once the egg has been fertilized, that is when life begins. They are afraid that it would make abortion more acceptable. Scientists in the private sector however disagree and perform the research out of the purview of the Government in privately funded research labs. They have been doing stem cell research in order to find cures for cancer, diabetes, wound healing, digestive and kidney disease to name a few.
Stem Cell Research Legislation
Introduction
Currently in the United States, the history of embryonic stem cell research has been bitterly debated since shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision regarding abortion under Roe v. Wade back in 1973 where abortion was legalized. Since then the various administrations have banned the use of tax dollars for research on embryos, fetuses, and embryonic or fetal tissue, while permitting research in the private sector. This restriction has made most research regarding infertility and treatment, including In vitro fertilization, into the private sector or overseas in the United Kingdom, China and Israel just to name a few of the country’s leading the field in research.
Executive Orders
Executive Order 13435—Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways was signed by President George W. Bush on June 27, 2007 under section 2 stated that the Director of Health and Human services, including the National
