title: Embryo and stem cell research in the USA: a political history.
abstract: Embryo and stem cell research in the USA is inextricably linked with the abortion debate. Since 1973, when elective abortions became legal, the government has refused to fund therapeutic research for fear it would encourage abortions. Research has continued in an unregulated private sector. Here, the unique US cultural, political and religious factors that have resulted in this situation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Social Science and Ethics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shriver Division, Waltham, MA 02452, USA. Dorothy.Wertz@umassmed.edu
authors.forename: Dorothy C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wertz
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000266:history; D003469:Culture; D004626:Embryology / Q000266:history*; D004992:Ethics, Medical / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D011247:Pregnancy; D012070:Religion and Science; D012106:Research / Q000266:history*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014481:United States