Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The nature and promise of stem cell research The ethical debate
Funding and regulation How can I become an advocate?
SCAN Stem Cell Action Network
The research aims to induce these cells to generate healthy tissue needed by patients.
Tens of thousands of frozen embryos are routinely destroyed when couples finish their treatment.
These surplus embryos can be used to produce stem cells. Regenerative medical research aims to develop these cells into new, healthy tissue to heal severe illnesses.
SCAN Stem Cell Action Network
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer The nucleus of a donated egg is removed and replaced with the nucleus of a mature, "somatic cell" (a skin cell, for example). No sperm is involved in this process, and no embryo is created to be implanted in a womans womb. The resulting stem cells can potentially develop into specialized cells that are useful for treating severe illnesses. SCAN Stem Cell Action Network
In favor of ESCR:
Embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) fulfills the ethical obligation to alleviate human suffering. Since excess IVF embryos will be discarded anyway, isnt it better that they be used in valuable research? SCNT (Therapeutic Cloning) produces cells in a petri dish, not a pregnancy.
Against ESCR:
In ESCR, stem cells are taken from a human blastocyst, which is then destroyed. This amounts to murder.
Federal Legislation
Government funding is prohibited for research using cell lines developed after Aug 9, 2001. Efforts to regulate the research are currently stalemated in Washington.
State Legislation
In 2003 there were 71 bills in 29 states Legislation supporting therapeutic cloning research has been passed in California and New Jersey. If it passes in November 2004, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative will provide $3 billion over 10 years.
SCAN Stem Cell Action Network
International Legislation
Embryonic Stem cell research is highly controversial not only in the United States but worldwide. In the past two years, many nations have begun to tolerate, if not to support, the research. In the fall of 2004, the United Nations will consider enacting a global ban on both therapeutic and reproductive cloning.
United Nations
In November 2003, a committee of the General Assembly defeated by only one vote a proposal to ban therapeutic cloning research. The United States delegation strongly supported this proposal.
In September 2004, the General Assembly will again consider the proposal to ban the research.
SCAN Stem Cell Action Network
Inform Others
Contact patient and community groups and offer to give a presentation like this one. Organize a house party to help spread the word. Offer to help someone else give this presentation. Collect email addresses of supporters to be added to SCANs mailing list. SCAN will send out news bulletins and action alerts about pending legislation.
SCAN Stem Cell Action Network