of cells that holds an inner clump of cells waiting to form all the tissues of the embryo (MacLean). These cells, grown in the laboratory for the first time in 1998, were approved for use by government-supported researchers in August after sustained opposition from opponents of abortion. (Wade)The use of aborted fetuses for research also has created a stir in the world of abortion politics Many pro-life supporters, such as Eileen Hofer, believe that by allowing research on fetal tissue research more women will have abortions. However, the research does not affect whether or not an abortion will occur. A 1997 General Accounting Office study confirmed that longstanding guidelines prevent the decision to donate tissue from influencing the decision whether to have an abortion in the first place (Samuelson). For example, tissue donors are prohibited from deciding who will receive a tissue transplant and outlaws payment to women who decide to donate.Whats more, fetal tissue research has produced lifesaving results. Medical science has used tissue remaining from elective abortions for decades, producing such breakthroughs as the polio vaccine. In the case of Parkinsons, the six-year ban on federal support for the research delayed progress, but is now beginning to bear fruit. Scientists are confident an effective treatment using transplanted cells will emerge (Samuelson). The biggest problem facing scientist is the daunting task of learning how to prod batches of stem cells to mature into specific kinds of cells for transplantation into people, such as liver cells for cirrhosis or specific kinds of brain cells for patients with Alzheimers or Parkinsons disease. Scientists have had some small successes in encouraging stem cells to turn into desired types, such as blood cells and nerve cells (Weiss). Last December, for example, Johns Hopkins University researcher John Gearhart stood before a Senate subcommittee and unveiled a poster-sized photog...
