Stem Cell Research Funding in Maryland Brings Up Bioethics Issues

The currently $20 million plan by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s for funding stem cell research sparked criticism yesterday from scientists and legislators after a state official disclosed that preference will be given to work on non-embryonic stem cells.

Democratic legislators have been renewing their call for support of embryonic stem cell research, however, the lines have been clearly drawn for a debate that will dominate the General Assembly session in Maryland that began Wednesday.

Some allies to Ehrlich are arguing that state funds spent primarily on adult stem cell lines will advance science and thrust Maryland into the forefront of stem cell research. However, some scientists say that cells derived from embryos hold the most promise for scientific breakthroughs.

Maryland will be on the frontline of this debate in the near term, and will likely bring us more news .. now that the holidays have ended, I can get back to paying attention to these issues in more detail.

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