Americans Support Stem Cell Research
On April 29, 2011, a panel of judges from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned a lower court decision that blocked public spending on stem cell research. The now defunct ruling stated that federal funds could not be used in research involving human embryos.
The most recent ruling is a critical development for federally funded scientists conducting stem cell research and was a major victory for patient and advocacy groups. This case highlights the importance and need for comprehensive and unambiguous legislation that protects stem cell research.
Research!America as a member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research is asking Congress to enact legislation that will indisputably clarify the issue of federal funding for ESCR.
Congress twice passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act with strong bipartisan support and both times President Bush vetoed the bill. President Barack Obama lifted the restrictions on federal funding for ESCR on March 9, 2009 by an Executive Order. Research!America issued a statement commending this action.
Prior to President Obama's Executive Order, federal funding was limited to those lines created before August 9, 2001, as directed by President George W. Bush. Legislation will be necessary to ensure that a future president cannot reinstate similar restrictions by Executive Order.
Research!America has been gauging Americans' views on stem cell research since 2002. Both state and national polls show strong support for stem cell research.
Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll on Stem Cell Research
- Complete Results (PDF)
- Poll Report (PDF)
State Polls (members only content, PDFs)
State Stem Cell Research Initiatives
- Cure Michigan
- Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures
- Florida Cures Initiative
- Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures
- Americans for Cures Foundation (California)
- Kansas Coalition for Lifesaving Cures
- Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute
- Texans for Advancement of Medical Research
- Maryland Families for Stem Cell Research
- Connecticut Department of Health Stem Cell Research Program
- New Jersey Stem Cell Research Initiative
- WiCell Research Institute (Wisconsin)
- New York Stem Cell Foundation
Stem Cell Legislation Resources and Additional Information