Stem cell research has become a huge topic over the past few years. Stem cell research raises many questions amongst those who are not fully aware of the capabilities to stem cells can provide. The most recent issue in stem cell research has to do with President Bush. On August 9, 2001, the president announced his decision on the federal funding of stem cells. Mr. Bush spoke openly to the public that evening of the 9th stating that federal funding will only be used for stem lines already in existence. The president also stated that he refused to allow research on any cell line created in the future so as to prevent the federal government from acting in a way that encourages the destruction of the human embryo. This decision rattled the brains of some Americans as well as others into disbelief that Mr. Bush would let this type of research going on, even if he did say there would be no more cell lines created for this in the future others loved the decision for limiting research to existing cells. This leads me to where I stand in this matter, and I for one believe that stem cell research must continue.
             One key factor that helped Mr. Bush in his decision was a determination that there were 64 cell lines in existence as of August 9th. Much observation and testing is required to show that a cell colony is in fact composed of stem cells, and there is some doubt already whether the 64 cell lines have met the necessary criteria. Professor Lars Hamberger, a scientist at the Gutenberg lab in Gutenberg Sweden spoke to Times Magazine about the 19 stem lines created they said, "That 12 perhaps out to be called potential cell lines. If we get three good lines out of them we'll be satisfied." (Times Magazine). The following table shows the locations of all 64 cell lines.
             Kar Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden 5 st5 Stem lines
             Mon Monash University, Melbourne, Austria 6 st6 Stem
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