Embryonic stem cell research is a 'choice issue.'
The pro-life movement generally believes that this happens at, or shortly after, conception. Thus, they consider the removal of stemcells from an embryo -- a procedure which kills the stemcells -- to be a form of murder of a human being. They argue that no potential health benefits to even hundreds of millions of people can justify the murder of other humans.
The pro-choice movement generally believes that personhood is attained much later in pregnancy, perhaps when the fetal brain develops consciousness during the third trimester. Thus, extracting stemcells from an five or ten-day old pre-embryo is not murder. Killing a pre-embryo, which is only a potential human being, is justified if it has the potential to cure diseases and extend the lives of people.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/res_stem12.htmThe recent studies have shown promise, and it appears to be less complicated than embryonic stem cells, and less an ethical problem. Prolife groups like Focus on the Family are expressing excitement over the news.
So, debate's over, right? I mean, scientists will feel they no longer need to look into embryonic stem cells to save us from all life's horrible diseases, right?
http://voices.kansascity.com/node/263