How did the stem cell research debate begin and how has it developed today?

Answer 1

People directly involved with biological research have been interested in the morality of stem cell research for decades.
Public interest was pretty limited until requests for government funding became an issue. For better or worse, our political leaders and the political media have jumped all over this issue.
Obviously, the government funds a large amount of science but if private research makes progress do not expect any one to stop them.