Stem cell research is an ever-evolving area of ​​modern policy. Many bills have been proposed and some have been passed in this area. Stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can be converted into others. These cells have the potential to treat and cure many diseases for which this is not yet an option. Most controversies surrounding stem cell research involve moral opposition. 1998 marked the first removal of a human embryonic stem cell. Until recently these cells could only be obtained through human embryos. This dovetails with the abortion controversy (“The Stem Cell Debate”). Most pro-lifers do not support stem cell research, however, with new advances in medicine, there is more public support for this policy than before. While it has not always been thriving, stem cell research is currently advancing thanks to bipartisanship, interest groups, and presidential leadership. Before 2009 the strength of this policy was limited due to presidential leadership and bureaucratic cooperation, as well as divided government. The policy, however, continued to succeed at a much slower pace than at present. In 2001, President George W. Bush announced that “federal funding of any research using stem cell lines derived after August 9, 2001” would be banned (“Timeline of Major Events”). This federal policy applied only to government organizations, not private or state organizations. However, since most funding for stem cell research came from federal and NIH grants, this was a major setback. In 2005, the Democratic Congress passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which was intended to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct... half of the document ......se.gov. Network. May 23, 2014. "Research! America's Political Position." ResearchAmerica.org. Search!America and Web. May 25, 2014. "The stem cell debate: is it over?" Learn about genetics. University of Utah Health Sciences, n.d. Web. May 22, 2014. “Stem Cell Therapy and Research Act of 2005.” Congress.gov. Lib. by Cong., n.d. Web. May 16, 2014. “Timeline of Major Events in Stem Cell Research Policy.” Research America. Search!America and the Web. May 16 2014. .