Stem Cell Research: Ethical and Legal Issues (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised May 10, 2011 |
| Report Number |
RL33554 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Erin D. Williams, Specialist in Health and Bioethics; Edward C. Liu, Legislative Attorney; Judith A. Johnson, Specialist in Biomedical Policy |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
Human stem cell research is controversial not because of its goals, but rather because of the means of obtaining some of the cells. Research involving most types of human stem cells, such as those derived from adult tissues and umbilical cord blood, has been uncontroversial, except when its effectiveness as an alternative to embryonic stem cells is debated. The crux of the debate centers around embryonic stem cells, which enable research that may facilitate the development of medical treatments and cures, but which require the destruction of an embryo to derive. In addition, because cloning is one method of producing embryos for research, the ethical issues surrounding cloning are also relevant.
