Barack Obama - Stem Cell Research
Summary
President Obama has been supportive of stem cell research throughout the campaign and as President. He has signed an executive order overturning President Bush's policy banning embryonic stem cell research.
Saddleback Debate
At the saddleback "debate" which was a discussion with Pastor Rick Warren, Senator Obama was asked about his position on stem cell research. He stated that he was in favor of pursing research on embryonic stem cells if they would be discarded anyway. He also stated that if adult stem cells we're working just as well, then there should be no reason to use embryonic stem cells.
Executive Order
On March 9, 2009 President Obama singed executive order 13482 which overturned President Bush's ban on embryonic stem cell research.
2008 Campaign Website Statements
Supporting Stem Cell Research
Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that we owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Obama is a co-sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which will allow research of human embryonic stem cells derived from embryos donated (with consent) from in vitro fertilization clinics. These embryos must be deemed in excess and created based solely for the purpose of fertility treatment.
Voting Record
Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research
The final piece of legislation was dubbed the "HOPE" Act and was voted on the same day. The Hope Act (S30) shared many of the same parameters as the the Stem Cell Research Act, in that it mostly ensured that no new stem cells be created for the sole purpose of using them in research. The bill also ensured that no embryos be damaged in research. Barack Obama voted against the Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research.
Barack Obama voted against the Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research.
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007
In April of 2007, two more stem cell related bills were voted on in the Senate. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S5) passed with support from a vast majority of Democratic Senators and about 1/3 of the Republican Senators. The legislation required (among other things) that any research done on stem cells involve only those which already existed. Barack Obama voted in favor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007
Barack Obama voted in favor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
In July of 2006, the Senate passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. This legislation would have allowed research on human embryonic stem cells created after President Bush's 2001 deadline. The measure passed the House and Senate, but was vetoed. It passed the Senate 63-37. Barack Obama voted in favor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
Barack Obama voted in favor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act
In July of 2006, the Senate voted unanimously to pass the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act S 2754. The bill required the Secretary of Health and Human Services to do the following three tasks: provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research; prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and take into account techniques outlined by the President\'s Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research. Barack Obama voted in favor of the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act
Barack Obama voted in favor of the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Cosponsor
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 - Cosponsor
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.