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Stem Cell Research

Stem cells are primal cells found in all multi-cellular organisms. They retain the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and can differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. Research in the human stem cell field grew out of findings by Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till in the 1960s. The three broad categories of mammalian stem cells are: embryonic stem cells, derived from blastocysts, adult stem cells, which are found in adult tissues, and cord blood stem cells, which are found in the umbilical cord. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all of the specialized embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells. As stem cells can be grown and transformed into specialized cells with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture, their use in medical therapies has been proposed. In particular, embryonic cell lines, autologous embryonic stem cells generated through therapeutic cloning, and highly plastic adult stem cells from the umbilical cord blood or bone marrow are touted as promising candidates. The main controversy is whether or not federal funds can be used to research embryonic stem cells.

Michael Bloomberg on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Mayor Michael Bloomberg supports embryonic stem cell research. He has donated $100 million to his alma mater, John Hopkins, with some of that money being earmarked for embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	Stem Cell Research: Medical Miracle or Moral Morass? (7/24/07) "Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $100 million to Johns Hopkins University, with the apparent understanding that much of it would go for embryonic stem cell research."
2.	Rich Donors Help Calif. Fund Stem Cell Research (7/24/07) "Early this year, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg quietly donated $100 million to Johns Hopkins University, largely for stem cell research."
3.	NY mayor's $100 million for stem cell research (7/24/07) Mayor Michael Bloomberg donates $100 million to John Hopkins to support stem cell research.

Sam Brownback on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Stem Cell Research but Does Not Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Senator Sam Brownback supports stem cell research but does not support Embryonic stem cell research. He questions the morality of embryonic stem cell research along with its effectiveness.
Citations:

1.	Brownback Showcases Merits of Ethical Adult Stem Cell Research (7/24/07) Senator Sam Brownback describes why he does not support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
2.	Stem Cell Research: Yes (7/24/07) Senator Sam Brownback discusses why he supports stem cell research but opposes embryonic stem cell research.

Hillary Clinton on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Senator Hillary Clinton has repeatedly supported embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

Clinton Pledges to Lift Ban on Stem Cell Research as President (7/24/07)
Senator Hillary Clinton supports embryonic stem cell research.

Clinton Says She Would Shield Science From Politics (10/5/07)
In a stinging critique of Bush administration science policy, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York said yesterday that if she were elected president she would require agency directors to show they were protecting science research from "political pressure" and that she would lift federal limits on stem cell research.

For example, she said, the use of embryonic stem cells to create tissue whose DNA is identical to that of an ailing person, a process called therapeutic cloning, "is within the ethical framework."

Christopher Dodd on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Christopher Dodd has repeatedly voiced support of embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	Senate Commitee on Stem Cell Research (7/24/07) Christopher Dodd does not support embryonic stem cell research. He does not believe it is ethical.
2.	58 Senators Call on President Bush to Expand Policy That (7/24/07) This is a letter than Christopher Dodd signed urging the president to change his policy on embryonic stem cell research.
3.	Dodd on Stem Cell Veto (7/24/07) Supports embryonic stem cell research.

John Edwards on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Senator John Edwards has repeatedly voiced support for embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	58 Senators Call on President Bush to Expand Policy on Embryonic Stem Cell Research (7/24/07) Senator John Edwards signs a letter urging President Bush to expand embryonic stem cell research.
2.	Edwards, First Lady at Odds on Stem Cells (7/24/07) John Edwards supports embryonic stem cell research.
3.	Edwards vows broadening of stem cell research (7/24/07) Senator John Edwards supports stem cell research.

Newt Gingrich on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Anti-Abortion
Description:	Newt Gingrich does not believe abortion should be illegal and believes there should be rights for the unborn.
Citations:

1.	The Discover Interview: Newt Gingrich (8/26/07) Against human cloning and believes stem cell research should have strong ethical guidelines. Would not ban stem cell research at fertility clinics.
2.	Exclusive %u201CAmerican View%u201D Interview: Newt Gingrich On Abortion, Homosexuality, Biblical Government; Rejects %u201CNarrow%u201D View Of Our Founders (8/26/07) An interview with The American Review where Newt Gingrich Talks about abortion. The American Review's website no longer works so we have to use the google cache. Im not sure this is the best source.

Rudolph Giuliani on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has stated that he would reverse President Bush's position and would approve federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. He has stated that as long as life is not created or destroyed for the scientific study, he supports stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	California Republican debate transcript (7/24/07) Rudy Giuliani on government funding of embryonic stem cell research: "As long as we're not creating life in order to destroy it, as long as we're not having human cloning, and we limit it to that, and there is plenty of opportunity to then use federal funds in those situations where you have limitations. So I would support it with those limitations, like Senator Coleman's bill in Congress."
2.	Giuliani Talks Guns, Stem-Cell Research In Georgia (7/24/07) Mayor Rudolph Giuliani says that he supports stem cell research as long as "life is not created for the purpose of destroying life and just for the purpose of scientific experimentation."
3.	Bush again vetoes stem cell legislation (7/24/07) "Two of the leading Republican candidates, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also have said they'd lift the president's ban on federal money for embryonic research."

Al Gore on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Stem Cell Research
Description:	Al Gore supports stem cell research but has not definitively stated his opinion on embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	Gore plugs stem-cell research at N.J. event (7/24/07) Al Gore supports stem cell research.

Mike Gravel on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Stem Cell Research and Has not Definitively Stated His View on Embryonic Stem Cell Research.
Description:	Senator Mike Gravel has voiced his support of stem cell research but has not definitively stated his view on embryonic stem cell research. He has hinted that he supports it.
Citations:

1.	Scones with the Senator (7/24/07) Senator Mike Gravel is not opposed to embryonic stem cell research.

Chuck Hagel on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Against embryonic stem cell research
Description:	Senator Chuck Hagel has voted against senate bills supporting embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - On Passage of the Bill (S. 5 ) (8/27/07) Senator Chuck Hagel voted no on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines.

Mike Huckabee on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	supports stem-cell research on existing stem cell lines
Description:	"Huckabee supports research on existing stem cell lines but opposes "creating life for the sole purpose of destroying it." Huckabee also believes that embryonic stem cell research may not be necessary "because recent discoveries have shown that stem cells from the umbilical cord may in fact be as useful as the embryonic stem cells that were previously created."
Citations:

1.	Issues: Sanctity of Life (8/1/07) Huckabee's stance on abortion, roe v. wade, and stem-cell research.
2.	The Candidates on Stem Cell Research (8/1/07) Summary of the candidates' stances on stem-cell research.
3.	The Candidates on Stem Cell Research (8/1/07) Summary of the candidates' stances on stem-cell research.

Duncan Hunter on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Representative Duncan Hunter has repeatedly voted against government support of embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	Republican Debate Transcript (7/24/07) REP. HUNTER: No. I'd like to show Mrs. Reagan the alternatives, which are adult stem cells.
2.	Vote Results For Roll Call 204 (7/24/07) Duncan Hunter voted no on allowing human embryonic stem cell research.
3.	Vote Results For Roll Call 20 (7/24/07) Representative Duncan Hunter votes no to expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines.

Dennis Kucinich on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Pro embryonic stem cell research
Description:	Dennis Kucinich has also voted in favor of embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	On The Issues: Abortion (7/9/07) Talks about different candidates and their stances on abortion and stem cell research.

John McCain on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Senator John McCain supports embryonic stem cell research. He originally opposed the issue but has changed his stance since.
Citations:

1.	McCain Statement On Stem Cell Research (7/24/07) John McCain explains his support of three bills in the senate having to do with stem cell research.
2.	Senate OKs stem cell funding bill (7/24/07) "Nearly two-thirds of the American public supports stem cell research, according to a CBS News poll in January. Six of the nine members of Congress running for president voted this year to lift the restrictions, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in yesterday's vote."
3.	GOP hopefuls getting more time to weigh stem-cell vote (7/24/07) "It's a very complex scientific issue," McCain (Ariz.) told NBC's Tim Russert earlier this year. "But for us to throw away opportunities to cure diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and many others I think would be a mistake."

Barack Obama on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Barack Obama wants the Government to help increase stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells.
Citations:

1.	Statement of Support for Stem Cell Research (7/6/07) Barack Obama outlines his stance on stem cell research.

Ron Paul on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes Government Funding of Stem Cell Research
Description:	Representative Ron Paul does not believe that the government should be involved in funding stem cell research (including embryonic stem cell research). He believes this should be left up to the states and private industry.
Citations:

1.	Missing the Point: Federal Funding of Stem Cell Research (7/24/07) "The issue is not whether the federal government should fund one type of stem cell research or another. The issue is whether the federal government should fund stem cell research at all. Clearly there is no constitutional authority for Congress to do so, which means individual states and private citizens should decide whether to permit, ban, or fund it. Neither party in Washington can fathom that millions and millions of Americans simply don't want their tax dollars spent on government research of any kind. This viewpoint is never considered."
2.	Final Vote Results For Roll Call 20 (7/24/07) Representative Ron Paul votes against government funding of human embryonic stem cell research.
3.	Final Vote Results For Roll Call 204 (7/24/07) Representative Ron Paul voted against providing government funding for embryonic stem cell research.
4.	California Republican debate transcript (7/24/07) "Programs like this [embryonic stem cell research] are not authorized under the Constitution. The trouble with issues like this is, in Washington we either prohibit it or subsidize it. And the market should deal with it, and the states should deal with it."
5.	California Republican debate transcript (7/24/07) "Programs like this [embryonic stem cell research] are not authorized under the Constitution. The trouble with issues like this is, in Washington we either prohibit it or subsidize it. And the market should deal with it, and the states should deal with it."
6.	Ron Paul (6 of 12) - opposes Stem Cell funding (7/24/07) Representative Ron Paul discusses why he does not support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Bill Richardson on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Governor Bill Richardson supports embryonic stem cell research and has even proposed funding in his home state of New Mexico to bolster research.
Citations:

Richardson Praises Latest Stem Cell Research Development (7/24/07)
As further research continues into this new process, Congress must maintain pressure on the President to expand federal funding for the National Institute of Health to conduct research on embryonic stem cell lines, which experts have said holds the best hope in developing treatments and cures for cancer, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injuries, among many other ailments.

Guv proposes stem cell program at UNM (7/24/07)
"Richardson on Tuesday said he will propose a $10 million stem cell package at the next legislative session. The funding includes $4 million for a new embryonic stem cell research facility at UNM, $4 million to hire eight to 12 researchers and $2 million to establish a nationally recognized training program for students."

Mitt Romney on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes federal funding for research but believes it is generally ethical
Description:	Mitt Romney believes research using human embryos created during fertility treatments is ethical but opposes using federal funds to support it. He opposes research using cloned embryos created by implanting human DNA into donated eggs. When he ran for governor in 2002, Romney strongly advocated stem-cell research in general terms, and he promised to lobby George W. Bush to embrace such research. During his presidential campaign, however, Romney renounced his 2002 position and said that he now agrees with Bush's decision to ban federal funding for research on excess embryos.
Citations:

1.	Romney's stem cell view may upset the right (7/19/07) Romney is pro use of excess embryos which would otherwise be discarded

Tom Tancredo on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Against Stem Cell Research
Description:	Representative Tom Tancredo does not support federal funding of stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	California Republican debate transcript (7/24/07) "There are billions of dollars going into this research right now. It does not require me taking money from federal -- from taxpayers in the United States to fund it... because it is morally, I think, reprehensible in certain ways."
2.	Final Vote Results for Roll Call 20 (7/24/07) Representative Tom Tancredo votes against expanding research in embryonic stem cell research.
3.	Final Vote Results For Roll Call 204 (7/24/07) Representative Tom Tancredo votes against federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Fred Thompson on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes Embryonic Stem Cell Research but Supports Adult Stem Cell Research
Description:	Senator Thompson has stated that he supports adult stem cell research but does not support embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

1.	Fred Thompson's views on abortion and family (7/24/07) At the 1 minute and 43 second mark, Senator Thompson states "On stem cell research: Im for adult stem cell research. Not for stem cell research where embryos of unborn children are destroyed."

Tommy Thompson on Stem Cell Research More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Stem Cell Research but Not Government Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Description:	Tommy Thompson does not believe that the government should support embryonic stem cell research.
Citations:

Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolin (7/24/07)
"Well first, embryonic stem cells, as well as adult stem cells, show great promise for all Americans. Embryonic stem cells was started at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In embryonic stem cells, the policy that was announced by the president on August 9th set forth about 72 lines that could be federally funded and could be used for research and still receive the federal funds."

GOP Presidential Candidates Debate for May 3, 2007 Transcript (7/24/07)
"There's so much research going on, Chris, you cannot answer that question yes or no. There's research currently going on right now at the Weissman Center (ph) in Madison, Wisconsin, that's going to allow for adult stem cells to become pluripotent, which will have the same characteristics of embryonic stem cells, so you do not have to kill an embryo."

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Stem Cell Research

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