The political controversy surrounding the issue of stem cell research continues to grow in the medical community, especially with the arrival of the new presidential administration. Many scientists fear stem cell research will be severely limited under President Bush. On January 26, Bush stated that he would oppose stem cell research using cells from aborted fetuses, which is currently legal. Bush has not yet announced plans to sign an executive order to ban such research. He has stated that he supports stem cell research using cells taken from fetuses that have died a natural death, or from adults.
Stem cells are cells that have the ability to develop into any cell in the body.
Scientists have known for several years that embryonic stem cells are particularly flexible and last longer following transplant. Abortions, although undesirable to everyone and especially for the woman undergoing the procedure, does offer consistently large numbers of healthy stem cells in a controlled environment. Scientists are hopeful that research on stem cells may one day be used to cure debilitative diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and cancer. In Eight Years It is well-known that diabetes has become increasingly common among Americans, and that this increase is tied to the increasing rate of obesity. The Centers for Disease Control has recently released statistical information pertaining to the disease that they hope will serve as a wake-up call to those at risk.