Stem Cell Research

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August 26, 2004: The FBI helps to investigate an explosion at a stem-cell research laboratory near Boston.

February 22, 2005: A California public interest group files a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the $3 billion stem cell research funding institution authorized by California voters the previous November.

March 8, 2005: In a split 84-34 vote that is being claimed as a symbolic victory for the Bush administration, the UN General Assembly urges governments to enact a total ban on human cloning, including the cloning of embryos for stem cell research.

March 30, 2005: The Massachusetts Senate approves a bill to loosen restrictions on scientists conducting stem cell research.

May 20, 2005: US President George W. Bush threatens to veto any legislation that would ease restrictions on federally funded stem cell research.

May 31, 2005: The Massachusetts legislature overrides a veto by Gov. Mitt Romney on a bill allowing scientists seeking to do stem cell research in Massachusetts to bypass approval from the local district attorney.

June 23, 2005: The Wisconsin Assembly votes to approve one of the country's broadest bans on human cloning in the state where embryonic stem cell research was pioneered and a huge biotechnology infrastructure exists.

June 30, 2005: Ohio Governor Bob Taft vetoes as too restrictive a ban on using funds from a high-tech job initiative to pay for embryonic stem cell research.

July 31, 2005: Stem cell bill sponsor Sen. Arlen Specter says that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist gave his position a "a big boost" after changing his stance and supporting Specter's plan to ease restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and provide it with more federal dollars for research.

September 29, 2005: Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says that he will veto a ban on human cloning approved by the state senate by a margin of 21-12.

October 11, 2005: A coalition including medical professionals from the University of Missouri and Washington University, the American Diabetes Association and the Parkinson's Action Network propose a Missouri constitutional amendment that would specify that stem cell research, cures, and therapies allowed under federal law are also allowed under state law.

November 3, 2005: Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle vetoes a ban on human cloning. In a statement, Doyle said "The real purpose of this bill is to restrict stem cell research, which holds enormous potential..."

April 21, 2006: A Superior Court judge in California throws out a lawsuit challenging the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the $3 billion stem cell research program that was approved in Proposition 71, approved by California voters in a 2004 referendum.

June 29, 2006: A leading member of the Catholic Church expresses concern that the Church could be prosecuted for some of its traditional religious positions against abortion, same-sex marriage and stem cell research.

July 18, 2006: The US Senate votes to increase federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, but the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act falls four votes shy of the two-thirds supermajority needed to survive an expected White House veto.

July 19, 2006: President Bush vetoes a bill to increase federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in what is the first presidential veto during his time in office.

November 7, 2006: Missouri voters narrowly approve Constitutional Amendment #2, a stem cell initiative that would prevent Missouri from criminalizing the use of stem cells in certain techniques such as therapeutic cloning.

January 11, 2007: The US House of Representatives passes HR 3, which would amend the Public Health Service Act to allow for additional embryonic stem cell research. The White House promises to veto the bill.

February 26, 2007: A California state appeals court rules that the state's stem cell research program "suffers from no constitutional or other legal infirmity," leading the way for approximately $3 billion in grant money to be awarded to researchers.

March 30, 2007: Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he plans to reverse the restrictions placed on stem cell research by former governor Mitt Romney.

April 10, 2007: The White House announces that President Bush will refuse to endorse legislation that would subsidize stem cell research and would veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.

April 11, 2007: The US Senate approves the Stem Cell Enhancement Act of 2007 despite President Bush’s veto warning.

May 17, 2007: The CA Supreme Court denies review of a lower court ruling, effectively allowing the continuation of a state-sponsored program for stem cell research.

June 7, 2007: The US House of Representatives passes the Stem Cell Enhancement Act of 2007, sending it to President Bush for signature.

June 20, 2007: President Bush vetoes the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which would have relaxed funding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

November 5, 2008: Michigan voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment allowing stem cell research under certain conditions.