Stem cell research and its funding have caused enormous controversy over the past decade. Stem cells are pluripotent cells present in all living organisms. These cells can differentiate into any cell type, including blood cells, nerves, heart muscle, and pancreatic islet cells. The scientific community is very excited about the possibility of these undifferentiated cells being used to treat catastrophic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, birth defects, spinal cord injuries and strokes, type I diabetes, cancer, and severely damaged organs. Despite the enormous potential for medical progress, controversy surrounds the sources and methods of stem cell acquisition and the possible misuses of the knowledge gained from experimentation with these cells. It is imperative that science carries out the necessary research while addressing any ethical issues. Stem cells can be obtained from three different sources. The first and most controversial source is an embryonic cell that comes from a three- to five-day-old blastocyst. A blastocyst is a ball of indifferents...