March 9, 2009- President Obama raises the ban of federally funded embyonic stem cell research. One of the most famous statements that he made regarding this desicion stated how "medical miricales do not happen simply by accident". Lifting the ban only affects government funding labs working with embryonic stem cells. (32)
The Beginnings of Stem Cell Research
1908- Alexander Maksimov, a Russian histologist, was the first to use the term "stem cells". Maksimov is also notable for being the first to hypothesize the existence of haematopoietic stem cells "during a congress of the hematologic society in Berlin." (20)
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1961 and 1963- James Till and Ernest McCulloch are acknowledged as the “fathers of stem cell research” because they were the scientists that verified the existence of stem cells and defined the two main characteristics that make stem cells as unique as they are rare. (3)
1978- It was discovered by physicians that the blood from umbilical cords and placentas, which were regularly thrown out, contained significant amounts of Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). It is most commonly used on children and small patients increasing their lives approximately 8 years. These stem cells are believed to have several helpful properties but no research have proved these claims to date. (23)
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1998- Scientists at the University of Wisconsin led by James Thompson isolate and grow the first stem cells from human embryos. The embryos used in these studies were created by IVF and "14 inner cell masses were isolated, and five ES cell lines originating from five separate embryos were derived". If you are curious to the procedure of extracting you can go back to our embryonic stem cells page or click here. (24)
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1999/2000- It was discovered that by manipulating mouse tissues one could produce different cell types fueling the study of adult stem cells. (21)
2001- August 9th President Bush decided to limit federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. They did this because they were worried that it would encourage women to get abortions. This completely stopped federal funding of embryonic stem cell lines that were derived after August 9th, 2001. Little did he know, over time these lines become unusable due to mutations, and other factors destorying their productivity. (30)
2005- Kingston University in England found another category of stem cells called cord blood embryonic stem cells. Cord blood cells can be taken from either placenta blood or umbilical cord blood. These stem cells are very smart and hold great promise for the future. (31)
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