As we all know, Bush recently vetoed federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in the US to establish new stem cell lines. I’ve got questions:
In which countries is it illegal to do this type of research at all? By this, I don’t mean withholding of federal funds-- I mean no one can do it, private or public.
In which countries is the situation similar to the US?
In which countries is government funded research legal, and actually happening?
Under current US law, could researchers get new stem cell lines from another country and do research with federal funds in the US?
Im not sure about the situation of other countries but I have recently learned in my political science class that in this case, by making embryonic stem cell research illegal, it simply means that the government will not fund research related to stem cells. So in actuality, any scientist using private funding as long as the funds didn’t come from the federal government, could legally clone a human being and do as much stem cell research as he wants.
Ironically, most of the embryos used come from fertility clinics and will be thrown away if not used this way. But let’s not get our moral judgment clouded by facts.
In regards to the OP, if you’re curious about stem cell research, there’s a feature on it in National Geographic from a few months ago. You might be able to find some information (and perhaps maps with legal status) on their website. I’d check, but my computer’s acting up.