SSTLR

By Laura Eleanor Gagnon

ABSTRACT:
Thomas Jefferson wrote that “liberty . . . is the great parent of science and of virtue; and that a nation will be great in both, always in proportion as it is free.” Generations of Americans pride themselves on being citizens of the country granting the most freedoms in the world. Liberty is a cornerstone of our distinguished nation. However, the federal government has gravely impaired that celebrated liberty in the area of scientific research. Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research was prohibited, thereby inhibiting the opportunity for scientific greatness that Jefferson so eloquently described.

Of course, scientific advancement generally does not come without a price tag, especially when the advancement is truly groundbreaking. Sometimes the cost involves endangering our wildlife; other times it involves destroying the environment. In the case of embryonic stem cell research, the price tag for innovation may mean the destruction of embryos. Many Americans struggle with this tradeoff: is it worth ending the potential lives of these embryos in order to conduct research that may treat and even cure diseases crippling over 128 million Americans?

The issue is not whether embryonic stem cell research is legal in the United States. Rather, it is whether the United States government can use taxpayer money to fund embryonic stem cell research. Federal funding from the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) is not the only source of money for this type of research. Private, not-for-profit organizations may also provide financial support; however, these establishments are less inclined to invest in embryonic stem cell research because it could take years to generate results that shareholders would approve. Furthermore, NIH is the leading financial sponsor of biomedical research in the United States. If given the authority, NIH could direct much of this funding to embryonic stem cell research. These funds would inevitably shorten the wait for a major scientific breakthrough.

This note discusses the scientific background of stem cell research, ethical considerations surrounding the issue, and past and current governmental regulations that limit federal funding of the research. Additionally, pending legislation and the latest breakthroughs regarding this controversial topic are addressed. Finally, this note concludes with recommendations for a change in the status quo.

NOTE: Footnotes in this abstract were omitted.