This week the U.S. Senate passed a bill that would have allowed researchers to do continued stem cell research. As promised, President Bush vetoed the bill a day after it passed in the senate.

NPR provided a detailed time-line of the Stem-Cell Debate, noting that in 1981 stem cells were first isolated by researchers Gail Martin at the University of California, San Francisco, and Martin Evans, then with the University of Cambridge (he’s now at the University of Cardiff). The debate reached the federal level in the U.S.A. during the Clinton Administration, which supported research using stem cells, and into the Bush terms. Bush limited funding (on stem cell research) to a few dozen lines of embryonic stem cells in existence at that date (August, 2001).

The Bush veto, which was expected, creates dilemma’s for many people. According to polls, more than 65% of American’s agreed with the U.S. Senate.

Michael Kinsley, writing in the Washington Post, offers an opinion (False Dilemma on Stem Cells) on the issue that is worth considering. Firstly, he does not see the issue as a moral dilemma. He argues that the stem cells for research come from embryos that are produced in fertility clinics, where more embryos are produced than needed for a successful implantation. You might find it valuable to read what he has to say on the issue.

What is your position on the issue? Should the government fund research projects using stem cells?