Dakota is the only state bans embryonic stem cell research in all its forms, and about a half dozen states ban research cloning.

That would be South Dakota, please never mix the good populist people of ND with the "head stuck in the sand", "we live for the RNC sound bites", people of South Dakota. What does it mean to be a Christian in South Dakota, oppose abortion/but adult deaths of women from illegal abortions is ok, no money to help pregnant unwed mothers who want to bring a child to full term, support the death penalty, reinstate the law and drivers license of a convicted ex-governor, support the slaughter of any animal in South Dakota (hunting season only applies to out of state hunters)

One fact that the general public is not aware of are the dangers associated with embryonic stem cell research and what it means to public health and safety. One such danger is the use of infectious genetically engineered viruses that have been developed to produce “disease-state” embryonic stem cells and are now becoming commonly used without appropriate oversight. These “recombinant” technologies are being used in embryonic stem cell research in drug discovery, biomedical research and bio-defense research laboratories throughout the United States. The public should be very concerned that there are no laws governing the private biomedical industry regarding these dangerous recombinant technologies. And although academic research laboratories are obligated to follow NIH guidelines, oversight to ensure compliance is lacking which presents a serious risk to the public health by release of dangerous human infectious genetically engineered organisms into the environment and which could consequently lead to small population outbreaks or an eventual pandemic. These recombinant technologies involving human infectious agents are very sophisticated and demand appropriate risk-assessments and biocontainment protocols and training. Private industry’s agenda is about making money and not about implementing appropriate safety precautions and protecting the public health. Private biotech and pharmaceutical industries have no legal obligation to protect the public health in the use of infectious agents in embryonic stem cell research. The public is not aware of this serious problem. Embryonic stem cell research should not proceed without first implementing laws and appropriate oversight procedures to protect the public health in both academic and private research laboratories.

Times have changed since the famous Asilomar Conference in 1975 where scientists met to mitigate the perceived risks posed by the newly discovered power of recombinant DNA technologies. Now after thirty years and subsequent prevailing advancements, the threats of using recombinant DNA technologies are no longer perceived but real. Accidental, negligent or targeted release of infectious genetically-engineered microorganisms that cause “disease” in embryonic stem cells can harm the public. Laws providing protection to the public health relating to the control and use of these dangerous recombinant technologies are out-dated or non-existent, triggering the activation of a time-bomb for an inevitable catastrophic event. Economic factors have also changed the way the government, academia and the pharmaceutical industry interact, creating deleterious “conflicts of interests” amongst this biomedical community and a scientific culture where economic self-interest inherently dominates over public safety and worker’s rights. The combination of our current economic culture, scientific advancements and lack of laws have made embryonic stem cell research increasingly dangerous to the point that millions of lives can be tragically affected by one simple careless mistake or even by an intentional act. These critical issues have been completely left out of the embryonic stem cell equation. Congress should act responsibly and prioritize public health and safety by implementing effective and enforceable regulations that address these issues before endorsing any further funding or lessening restrictions toward embryonic stem cell research. If we remain irresponsible and continue to ignore the fact that dangerous embryonic stem cell technologies have the potential to create emerging disease and catastrophic pandemics, but nevertheless continue to promote embryonic stem cell research without first implementing effective oversight, we inevitably will face an ugly monster and a public health crisis costing us a higher price than one can imagine for generations to come. Despite the hope and potential that embryonic stem cell research may bring to biomedical advancements, unfortunately, within today’s scientific environment, it currently poses a greater devastating health and safety risk to mankind than any perceived future medical benefit. It is a risk that the public should not have to tolerate.

Question to B. McClain: where did you get that info from?