Laws Governing Stem Cell Research

President Bush’s Embryonic Stem Cell Policy

In August of 2001, President Bush established a federal policy on embryonic stem cell research which is still in effect. You are probably confused and believe, as many do, that there is no federal funding available for embryonic stem cell research.

The truth is that the Bush policy allows federal funds to be used for research on existing stem cell lines derived from embryos that had already been destroyed before August of 2001. The policy does not allow federal funds to be used to destroy more living human embryos.

Congress continues to work on legislation that would overturn the Bush policy and allow funding for destruction of more embryos. President Bush has already vetoed and will continue to veto such legislation.

President Bush and the Congress have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to ethical adult stem cell research and to establish cord blood banks.

Wisconsin Stem Cell Policy

Governor James Doyle has spent millions of public and private dollars on embryonic stem cell research which relies on destruction of human life. This research has had zero results.

Governor Doyle has spent zero dollars on ethical adult stem cell research where real people with real diseases are being helped.

Wisconsin has a law which informs a pregnant woman that she can donate cord blood normally discarded after the birth of her baby for research purposes.