The Controversy
In order to obtain enough stem cells from embryos, scientists often get them from fertility clinics. These are medical clinics that help woman become pregnant. Sometimes, embryos are thrown in the garbage by the clinic. The embryos can be used in research laboratiories. But these embryos (usually 4~5 days old) need to be killed to access the stem cells inside. This bothers many people. Some people with strong Christian beliefs have bewn very outspoken against stem cell research. They argue that a single embryonic strm cells is the most basic form of human life. It is like ending the life of a human being. Due to this controversial ethical issue, in 2001, the U.S. government banned giving federal research funding to scientists conducting embryonic stem cell research. If scientists can find another way to get stem cells (other than by killing the embryos), they might be able to cure many of the disease today.