Embryonic stem cells are typically obtained from embryos donated by individuals who have undergone fertility treatments. Created in a laboratory through in vitro fertilization, these are excess embryos that would otherwise be discarded. The process of harvesting the stem cells, however, completely destroys the embryo. Although the embryo is only several days old and about the size of the dot on an "i," debate revolves around its status. The question of whether the embryo is a mere cluster of cells or a human being remains unresolved in both policy and legal debates.
Federal policy regarding funding for stem cell research seems likely to change with each administration. Universities, therefore, are forced to be creative in securing financial backing for their research. Fortunately, individuals and corporations have stepped in with contributions, and a number of states have enacted their own support and funding. A report by the Hinxton Group, however, shows that these attempts to fill the funding gap bring their own set of impediments. Not only does corporate financing come with complicated and restrictive patent obligations, but financing from individual states contributes to an uncoordinated system for sharing research and materials. While patent and information-sharing problems are common in scientific research, due to the political controversy, they are especially severe in the stem cell field and threaten extensive and unfortunate delays in stem cell research.
In 1981, at the University of California, San Francisco, Gail Martin achieved a key stem cell accomplishment: For the first time, she successfully isolated stem cells from mice embryos. (It was Martin, in fact, who coined the term "embryonic stem cell.") Her success laid the groundwork for researchers at the University of Wisconsin, who, in 1995 derived the first embryonic stem cells from a primate, confirming the possibility of isolating embryonic stem cells in humans. That milestone was reached in 1998, again at the University of Wisconsin, when James Thomson and his colleagues reported the first isolation and culture of human embryonic stem cells, simultaneously generating hope as well as controversy.
Several states specifically provide funding for stem cell research, and universities in these states are particularly fortunate. While important findings continue, a number of universities stand out in the field. After its groundbreaking accomplishments, the University of Wisconsin has managed to remain a leader in stem cell research. Many of the universities in California -- including Stanford, UCLA, and University of California, San Francisco -- have impressive stem cell research programs due to the strong financial support of individuals, corporations, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, funded by the state. Another notable university is Harvard, with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and its focus on specific diseases including diabetes and cancer.