While there are many aspects of medical research in the world today, one of the most controversial continues to be stem cell research and, more specifically, research on embryonic stem cells. The percentage of groups and individuals who agree or disagree with this science are roughly equal on both sides of the issue. There are many controversies in this area, including “should stem cell research be federally funded,” “is embryonic stem cell research ethical,” and “is the outcome of stem cell research worth it”? While there is no right or wrong answer to these questions, as the answer would vary depending on the person you ask, the discussion on this topic remains quite passionate and heated. Embryonic stem cell research is the medical study of cells taken from embryos before they are born. capable of implanting in the uterus. This procedure – the harvesting of cells – ultimately destroys the embryo, rendering it non-viable and unable to sustain life. Adult stem cell research is simply the study of stem cells harvested from adults and used in many areas of medicine. Many groups oppose this type of research because they believe it undermines the right to life, while others do not believe that an embryo that has spent five days in a Petri dish should be considered a human being. The first discovery of stem cells occurred in 1800. This discovery demonstrated that some cells could generate other cells. However, it wasn't until the early 1900s that research showed that stem cells could generate blood cells. This was very promising in the medical community of the time as many diseases were rampant and incurable. During the early days of stem cell research, both animal and human stem cells were used. Now, for the doctor... half of the document... h Embryonic stem cell research?. Pregnantpause.org. July 26, 2001. Web. November 28, 2011.Moisse, Katie. “Stem cells: new hope for heart failure patients”. Abcnews.com. 14 November 2011. Web. 15 November 2011. Parco, Alice. “Stem cell miracle? New therapies can cure chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's." Time magazine. June 25, 2011. Web. November 10, 2011. Neve, Nancy. “Stem cell research is new frontiers of science and ethics”. Houston Community College Library. 2004. Print. Nov 10, 2011. Stem Cell Basics: What are the potential uses of human stem cells and the obstacles that must be overcome before these potential uses are realized?. In information on stem cells. Network. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009. November 22, 2011. Tasker, Fred. “New study on stem cells promises to heal the heart.” Dallas Morning News. March 22, 2011. Web. November 10 11.