Background

Embryonic Stem Cells were first discovered in 1998 by scientists at the University of Wisconsin. A stem cell is a primitive type of cell that can be coaxed into developing into most of the 220 types of cells found in the human body (e.g. blood cells, heart cells, brain cells, etc). Some researchers regard stem cells as offering the greatest potential for the alleviation of human suffering since the development of antibiotics. Early work suggests that the regrown cells could enable patients with cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries to be treated.

Stem cells can be extracted from adult tissues as well as embryos, without harm to the subject. Unfortunately, adult stem cells are more difficult to remove and are severely limited in quantity. There has been a consensus among researchers that adult stem cells are limited in usefulness -- that they can be used to produce only a few of the 220 types of cells in the human body. Thus much of the current interest focuses on embryonic stem cells.

Scientists, patient groups, and a wide majority of Americans embrace the research because of the potential the cells hold for developing new cures and preventative therapies. It has support from members of all walks of life including former First Lady Nancy Reagan (R), the late Christopher and Dana Reeves, U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrbacher (R), former NJ Governor Richard Codey (D), the actor Michael J Fox, U.S Senator Bill Frist (R), Governor Jon Corzine (D) and U.S. Senator Orin Hatch (R).

However, anti-abortion and related activists oppose stem cell research because they believe that it would provide even more support for abortion rights. A counter-argument concerns the principal sources of embryonic stem cells: the hundreds of thousands of pre-embryonic blastocysts produced as part of the in vitro fertilization process. Since these blastocysts are usually destroyed after a successful pregnancy, no "lives" would be saved if the research were banned. Opponents of the research also raise the specter of cloning, which is not connected to this research in any way.

Stem Cell Research in New Jersey

New Jersey is trying to become national leader in stem cell research. In 2004, New Jersey took a historic step for medical research by creating the nation's first state-supported institute dedicated to stem cell research and medical treatment. In 2005, Governor Richard J. Codey announced a $380 million investment -- the second largest state investment in the nation -- to build the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey and to finance promising stem cell research. New Jersey was only the second state to legalize stem cell research and already has earmarked $11.5 million for the Stem Cell Institute, with the FY 05 State Budget including $9.5 million for the Institute, as well as $1 million each from UMDNJ and Rutgers.