Stem cell research: Where does your U.S. state stand?

William Atkins
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 20:06

Opinion and Analysis

Do you favor or reject embryonic stem cell research? And, just as important: does your state favor or reject the researching and funding of stem cells in the United States?          

The following article published on the website Stateline.org gives a good and unbiased report on how the various U.S. states are positioning themselves on embryonic stem cell research and funding.

California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin seem to be leading the way as proponents of stem cell research as they are actively funding research into it.

Iowa, Massachusetts, and Missouri have made stem cell research legal but do not fund it.

Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, and South Dakota ban embryonic stem cell research all together. [The word "embryonic" was added on 1/18/2008.]

The January 15, 2008 article “States vie for stem-cell scientists” is reported by Christine Vestal, a Stateline.org staff writer.

I would encourage you to read the article to help understand better how and where stem cell research is being researched in the United States.

As the November 2008 presidential election approaches, the article also gives a brief statement as to where some of the Democratic and Republican candidates stand on stem cell research and funding.

Stateline.org, based in Washington, D.C., is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The organization covers subjects within state governments with respect to research materials that impact state policies and trends. Its website states its purpose as to: “… nourish public debate of important state-level issues such as healthcare, tax and budget policy, the environment, welfare reform and other issues that in recent years have not gotten the media attention they deserve.”