Stem Cells and Politics

A technology that immediantly comes to mind that is directly affected by politics is stem cell research. Stem cell research have yielded incredible breakthroughs in terms of creating cells that can combat cancer cells and other uncurable diseases, but research in our country has been undercut by our very own president, despite congress approving H.R. 810 in 2006 (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.) Society is on both sides of the issue when addressed with the question on how society is arranged around stem cell research. There are supporters and protesters, almost completely down the line with democrats supporting the plan and republicans against (with a few exceptions, of course.) Obviously there are several medical instances where stem cell research can play an enormous role in our future. On the other end of the spectrum, anti- stem cell proponents argue it can lead to human cloning which would devalue human life. Another anti stance is that an human embryo required to start the line of stem cells is a human life, and should be given protection. In terms of institutional support, the medical profession and those in need of a miracle to save them are in undying support to anything that can make a breakthrough, or save a life. A certain few in Washington think otherwise, which makes this technology extremely political in nature- when it is getting discussed into bills in congress, and in turn lying on the president's desk for a decision to keep it or scrap it- all about a new technology.