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Stem cell research
The issue of allocating federal funds for embryonic stem cell research remains a salient issue in the 2008 presidential election. Read the stances of the presidential candidates below. The views of the vice presidential candidates are shown where available.
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REPUBLICANS
John McCainSupports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on embryos that would otherwise be discarded. Opposes the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes. Opposes human cloning and any related experimentation.
Voted in support of these congressional stem-cell bills:
-- The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.
-- The Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, which promotes research into deriving stem cell lines by methods "that do not knowingly harm embryos."
-- The Fetal Farming Bill of 2006, which prohibits "the solicitation or acceptance of tissue from embryos gestated for research purposes."
He voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5), which expands the number of human embryonic stem cells eligible for federally funded research. Also, in 2007, he was one of the co-sponsors of the Human Cloning Prohibition Act.
Watch McCain speak about stem cell research
Sarah PalinWhen asked about stem cell research during a September 2008 ABC News interview, she said, "My personal opinion is we should not create human life -- create an embryo and then destroy it for research -- if there are other options out there... And thankfully, again, not only are there other options, but we're getting closer and closer to finding a tremendous amount more of options, like, as I mentioned, the adult stem cell research."
DEMOCRATS
Barack ObamaAdvocates increased stem cell research. Opposes the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes. Campaign Web site states: "We owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases." Supported legislation during his tenure in the Illinois Senate that allowed embryonic stem cell research in that state. Opposes human cloning.
Voted in support of these congressional stem-cell bills:
-- The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.
-- The Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, which promotes research into deriving stem cell lines by methods "that do not knowingly harm embryos."
-- The Fetal Farming Bill of 2006, which prohibits the "solicitation or acceptance of tissue from embryos gestated for research purposes."
He was one of the co-sponsors of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5), which expands the number of human embryonic stem cells eligible for federally funded research.
Watch Obama speak about stem cell research
Joe BidenObama and McCain: Key Senate Votes from 2005 through 2008
Stem Cell Funding
July 18, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate passes -- by a vote of 63-37 -- a bill to lift President George W. Bush's restrictions confining federal spending on embryonic research to stem cell lines known to exist before August 9, 2001.
McCain: Yea
Obama: Yea
(Sources: CQ Weekly; U.S. Senate Legislation Database)
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The issues that make up American politics have many voices. Here are a few governmental organizations, interest groups and companies from across the political spectrum that are actors in the debate over stem cell research.
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