They could also be used to develop new drugs for these and other diseases. (Levine).
For many years, stem cell research has been done with animals. However, the first big advancement for human stem cells came in 1998, when James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin made the first individual human embryonic stem cell lines. More and more scientists have been able to make stem cell lines since Thomson's discover using their own approaches, which causes the demand for stem cells to rise.
To continue research and development of stem cells scientist need more stem cells to work with. So where does a researcher get more stem cells? This question is the root of the controversial problem that impedes the progress of stem cell research. Carol Levine, author of Taking Sides states, "The potential sources [of stem cells] are human fetal tissue following elective abortion; human embryos created by vitro fertilization, which are not gong to be implanted; human embryos created solely for this purpose; or, potentially, human or hybrid embryos created by cloning techniques."" Much of the debate is how to gain new stem cells for the scientific progression and humanitarian development, without ignoring ethical and moral issues regarding human life.
The government stance on this notorious subject is they will only fund institutions that use the fetal tissues of aborted embryos and are able to oversee the projects. With government funding being limited and the prices to research stem cells being expensive, private institutions are struggling to make ends meet. Spokesman K. Dunn said this about the funding biotechnology companies, "Real progress in therapeutic cloning requires government funding for support. [ ] Companies doing therapeutic cloning research will remain private, despite generally noble intentions, private companies are bedeviled by the need to raise money [ ]. Government funding attracts talented researchers at universities and research institutions and with that comes ethical oversight.
