Stem Cell Issues in the News

Gallup Poll shows majority of Americans support embryonic stem cell research
According to Gallup's 2007 Values and Beliefs survey, 64 percent of Americans surveyed said it was morally acceptable to perform medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos. The poll was conducted May 10-13. According to the study, the number of Americans who support medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos has increased since 2002. To see a complete report on the results of the survey, read Americans Rate the Morality of 16 Social Issues.

House Passes Bill Relaxing Limits on Stem Cell Research
By Rick Weiss
Washington Post Staff Writer

The House yesterday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would loosen the restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research imposed by President Bush in 2001, inaugurating the second such assault on the administration's stem cell policy in as many years. Read more...

Proposed cloning bill draws crowd
by Karen Burbach, UNMC public affairs

Seventh-grader Megan Berens has had diabetes for seven years. On Wednesday, the 13-year-old told Judiciary Committee members she hopes for a cure so she can "live without fear." Berens was among the youngest to testify in opposition to LB 700, a bill that purports to ban the cloning of humans, also known as "reproductive cloning."

The bill, however, also would ban a technique known as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) or "therapeutic cloning," which allows scientists to study the basis of human disease and develop future therapies and cures. Read more...