Government Policies on Unused Embryos

The use of embryos and embryonic stem cell research has caused significant debate between anti-abortion activists and scientists seeking to find cures for genetic diseases and degenerative conditions. Since the 1970s, the federal government has legislated on the subject of human embryos.

History

• Since the legalization of abortion in the United States in 1973 and the birth of the first successful "test tube baby" or in vitro fertilization in 1978, the federal government enacted legislation to ban the use of federal funds for human embryo research. In 2000, the National Institutes of Health issued guidelines for federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, but in 2001 President George W. Bush introduced policy to put a hold on federal funding for that purpose. It was not until 2005 that the House passed a bill to ease Bush's restrictions. President Obama further relaxed restrictions in 2009.

Unused Embryos

• Each year, thousands of embryos are discarded as medical waste. Those embryos unused in fertility treatment, may, with parental consent, be used for stem-cell research. Parents may also elect to donate unused embryos to others seeking fertility treatment.

Policies

• As of 2010, what to do with unused embryos is still under consideration. There is the possibility that legislation will be enacted to assert that an embryo is a person and allow for its adoption or for it to become a "ward of the state."