Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Positions are categorized as Pro (Yes), Con (No), Not Clearly Pro or Con, or None Found.
Candidates who have withdrawn or who no longer meet our criteria are listed last.

Pro (Yes)

Con (No)

Clinton, Hillary (D) - Pro Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator (D-NY), in an Oct. 4, 2007 article titled "Scientific Integrity and Innovation: Remarks at the Carnegie Institution for Science" on her official candidate website, stated: "...[W]hen I am President, I will lift the current ban on ethical stem cell research. In 2001, President Bush issued an Executive Order banning federal funding for some of the most promising avenues of stem cell research. And this year -- yet again -- he vetoed legislation to open up new lines of embryonic stem cells for federal funding... When I'm President, therefore, one of my first acts will be to lift the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. But we have to go much further than that if we expect to restore scientific integrity." Oct. 4, 2007 Hillary Clinton

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Gravel, Mike (Lib) - Pro Mike Gravel, former U.S. Senator (D-AK), issued the following statement through his press secretary, Alex Colvin, in a Nov. 9, 2007 email to ProCon.org: "Yes, for the ethical use for medical research." Nov. 9, 2007 Mike Gravel

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Keyes, Alan (Ind) - Con Alan Keyes, former Assistant U.S. Secretary of State, stated in an article titled "Embryonic Stem Cell Research" on his official candidate website (accessed Apr. 7, 2008): "No medical advance, and certainly no material profit, justifies denying the claim to humanity of the embryonic human person. Those who try to justify it are driven from one tortured rationalization to another, none addressing the real issue. Being undeveloped, unconscious, unattractive, small, or unwanted ? these are not reasons that we accept in any other context for failing to respect the wholeness of moral worth that every human being has from his Creator. Why, therefore, should we accept it in regard to embryonic research? No ? we do not have the right to take human life merely because it is unconscious, or because it is undeveloped or damaged, or for any other reason that tempts us to deny the equal dignity of all human persons." Apr. 7, 2008 Alan Keyes

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McCain, John (R) - Pro [Editor's Note: Prior to John McCain's Nov. 30, 2007 Con position, he held the following Pro position at the May 3, 2007 Republican Presidential Debate in Simi Valley, CA.] "I believe that we need to fund this [embryonic stem cell research]. This is a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community. I would remind you that these stem cells are either going to be discarded or perpetually frozen. We need to do what we can to relieve human suffering. It's a tough issue. I support federal funding." May 3, 2007 John McCain

McCain, John (R) - Now Con John McCain, U.S. Senator (R-AZ), issued the following in an article titled "On the Issues: Human Dignity & the Sanctity of Life" on his official campaign website (accessed Nov. 30, 2007): "John McCain opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes. To that end, Senator McCain voted to ban the practice of 'fetal farming,' making it a federal crime for researchers to use cells or fetal tissue from an embryo created for research purposes. Furthermore, he voted to ban attempts to use or obtain human cells gestated in animals. Finally, John McCain strongly opposes human cloning and voted to ban the practice, and any related experimentation, under federal law. As president, John McCain will strongly support funding for promising research programs, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research and other types of scientific study that do not involve the use of human embryos. Where federal funds are used for stem cell research, Senator McCain believes clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress, and that any such research should be subject to strict federal guidelines." Nov. 30, 2007 John McCain

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McKinney, Cynthia (Grn) - Pro Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. House Representative (D-GA), in a May 1, 2007 "Presidential Candidate Questionnaire" on the National Green Party website, stated: "In May 2005 I voted [on the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005" (H.R.810)] to support human embryonic stem cell research." Mar. 1, 2008 Cynthia McKinney

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Nader, Ralph (Ind) - Not Clearly Pro or Con Ralph Nader, attorney, author, and political activist, stated in an Apr. 7, 2007 National Green Party "Presidential Candidate Questionnaire": "Ralph Nader supports stem cell research. Through two organizations Nader created, the Center for the Study of Responsive Law in 1968 and the Consumer Project on Technology in 1995, he has contributed to efforts to insure stem cell research advances developed with public money are made available to the public and not held back by corporate or university patent holders." Apr. 7, 2007 Ralph Nader [Editor's Note: Although Nader is Pro funding stem cell research, ProCon.org was unable to find his position on embryonic stem cell research specifically. ProCon.org emailed the Nader campaign on Mar. 26, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Apr. 11, 2008.]

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Obama, Barack (D) - Pro Barack Obama, U.S. Senator (D-IL), stated in a July 17, 2006 article titled "Statement of Support for Stem Cell Research" on his U.S. Senate website: "And I'm proud to be a cosponsor of the stem cell bill before us today ["Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005" (H.R. 810)]. This bill embodies the innovative thinking that we as a society demand and medical advancement requires. By expanding scientific access to embryonic stem cells which would be otherwise discarded, this bill will help our nation's scientists and researchers develop treatments and cures to help people who suffer from illnesses and injuries for which there are currently none. But the bill is not without limits; it requires that scientific research also be subject to rigorous oversight. I realize there are moral and ethical issues surrounding this debate. But I also realize that we're not talking about harvesting cells that would've been used to create life and we're not talking about cloning humans. We're talking about using stem cells that would have otherwise been discarded and lost forever - and we're talking about using those stem cells to possibly save the lives of millions of Americans... Americans are looking for that kind of leadership today. All over the country, patients and their families are waiting today for Congress and the President to open the door to the cures of tomorrow." July 17, 2006 Barack Obama

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Paul, Ron (R) - Con Ron Paul, U.S. Representative (R-TX), in a May 24, 2005 article titled "Dr. Paul's Writings - No Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research" on his official campaign website, stated: "Mr. Speaker, the issue of government funding of embryonic stem cell research is one of the most divisive matters facing the country. While I sympathize with those who see embryonic stem cell research as a path to cures for dreadful diseases that have stricken so many Americans, I strongly object to forcing those Americans who believe embryonic stem cell research is immoral to subsidize such research with their tax dollars. The question that should concern Congress today is: Does the US government have the constitutional authority to fund any form of stem cell research? The clear answer to that question is no. A proper constitutional position would reject federal funding for stem cell research, while allowing individual states and private citizens to decide whether to permit, ban, or fund this research. Therefore, I must vote against HR 810." May 24, 2005 Ron Paul

CANDIDATES WHO HAVE WITHDRAWN OR WHO NO LONGER MEET OUR CRITERIA     Biden, Joe (D) - Pro Joe Biden, U.S. Senator (D-DE), was a signatory of a letter written to President Bush, also signed by 58 other U.S. Senators, on June 7, 2004: "Dear Mr. President: We write to urge you to expand the current federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research... We very much appreciate your words of support for the enormous potential of this research, and we know that you intended your policy to help promote this research to its fullest. As you know, the Administration's policy limits federal funding only to embryonic stem cells that were derived by August 9, 2001, the date of the policy announcement. However, scientists have told us that since the policy went into effect more than two years ago, we have learned that the embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federal funding will not be suitable to effectively promote this research. We therefore feel it is essential to relax the restrictions in the current policy for this research to be fully explored." June 7, 2004 Joe Biden Top      Brownback, Sam (R) - None Found   Withdrew on Oct. 19, 2007; no position found as of that date Top    Dodd, Chris (D) - Pro Chris Dodd, U.S. Senator (D-CT), stated in a June 20, 2007 entry of the U.S. Congressional Record titled "Veto of Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007": "[President Bush's] veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act is a grave moral error. Embryonic stem cell research may one day provide relief to more than 100 million Americans suffering from Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord injury, Lou Gehrig's disease, cancer, and many other devastating conditions for which there is still no cure. Today, Federal funds are only allowed for work on 21 stem cell lines that existed as of August 9, 2001, all of which are contaminated. Scientists understand that access to more stem cell lines would significantly expand the scope and possibility of their research. That is why the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act expanded the number of embryonic stem cell lines available for federally funded research by allowing the use of stem cells derived through embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics." June 20, 2007 Chris Dodd Top    Edwards, John (D) - Pro John Edwards, former U.S. Senator (D-NC), signed a letter written to President Bush, also signed by 58 U.S. Senators, on June 7, 2004: "Dear Mr. President: We write to urge you to expand the current federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research... We very much appreciate your words of support for the enormous potential of this research, and we know that you intended your policy to help promote this research to its fullest. As you know, the Administration's policy limits federal funding only to embryonic stem cells that were derived by August 9, 2001, the date of the policy announcement. However, scientists have told us that since the policy went into effect more than two years ago, we have learned that the embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federal funding will not be suitable to effectively promote this research. We therefore feel it is essential to relax the restrictions in the current policy for this research to be fully explored." June 7, 2004 John Edwards Top      Gilmore, Jim (R) - None Found   Withdrew on Aug. 14, 2007; no position found as of that date Top    Giuliani, Rudy (R) - Pro Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, stated at the May 3, 2007 Republican Presidential Debate in Simi Valley, CA: "As long as we're not creating life in order to destroy it, as long as we're not having human cloning, and we limit it to that, and there is plenty of opportunity to then use federal funds in those situations where you have limitations. So I would support it with those limitations, like Senator Coleman's bill in Congress." May 3, 2007 Rudy Giuliani Top    Huckabee, Mike (R) - Pro Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, stated in an article titled "Core Principles: Values Issues" on his official campaign website (accessed Nov. 5, 2007) "With respect to stem cells, I support federal funding of research using existing [embryonic] stem cell lines. I do not believe in creating life for the sole purpose of destroying it. I'm encouraged by recent discoveries showing that stem cells from the umbilical cord offer great promise." Nov. 5, 2007 Mike Huckabee [Editor's Note: According to Mike Huckabee's campaign website, as of Apr. 2, 2008, his position on embryonic stem cell research is, "With respect to stem cells, I am opposed to research on embryonic stem cells." However, this statement does not address the issue of "federal funding" for stem cell research. To clarify his position, ProCon.org did extensive research including calling the Huckabee campaign on Nov. 13, 2007, and emailing the campaign on Nov. 9, 2007, Dec. 5, 2007, Dec. 13, 2007, Jan. 21, 2008, and Feb. 11, 2008. We have not yet received a response as of Apr. 2, 2008. His Pro statement above was the only statement that we found addressing the issue of "federal funding" of stem cell research. Since embryonic stem cells are included in existing lines of stem cells that the federal government funds for research, we have left Mr. Huckabee's position as Pro.] Top    Hunter, Duncan (R) - Con Duncan Hunter, U.S. Representative (R-CA), stated in an article titled "Core Principles: Values Issues" on his official campaign website (accessed Nov. 5, 2007): "I supported the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act, banning the practice of fetal farming, the creation of embryos specifically for the purposes of scientific research. I voted in favor of the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, which would direct federal funding to stem-cell research that does not rely on embryos. I voted against the Stem-Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, which would have directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem-cells, regardless of the date on which the stem-cells were derived from a human embryo." Nov. 5, 2007 Duncan Hunter Top    Imperato, Daniel (3rd/I) - Con Daniel Imperato, an Independent candidate and business entrepreneur, issued the following statement through his press secretary, Joseph Oddo, in a Nov. 30, 2007 email to ProCon.org: "No." Nov. 30, 2007 Daniel Imperato Top    Kubby, Steve (3rd/I) - Con Steve Kubby, a Libertarian candidate and founder of the American Medical Marijuana Association, stated in a Nov. 9, 2007 email to ProCon.org: "No -- and, let's be honest, this is a tempest in a teapot. Privately funded embryonic stem cell research dwarfs government research funding, and that's a good thing. The government funding angle has been preserved by feuding interest groups as a political football. Pro-life advocates want an issue to rally their constituents around. Advocates of socialized medicine and science draw a line in the sand against any reduction of government funding for anything. Yes, there are real ethical questions involved, but we don't have to reach this issue with those questions. Government does not need to be in the business of handing out taxpayer money for scientific research -- especially scientific research which the private sector is already much more heavily, and much more effectively, invested in." Nov. 9, 2007 Steve Kubby Top    Kucinich, Dennis (D) - Pro Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Representative (D-OH), cosponsored the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007" (H.R.3) (Library of Congress: THOMAS website, accessed Nov. 21, 2007): "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007" (H.R.3) amends "the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo, provided such embryos: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment); and (4) were donated by such individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements." Nov. 21, 2007 Dennis Kucinich Top    McEnulty, Frank (3rd/I) - Con Frank McEnulty, an Independent candidate and President of Our Castle Homes, in a Nov. 28, 2007 email to ProCon.org, stated: "Given the recent advances in stem cell research using non-embryonic stem cells, I do not believe it is necessary at this time for the federal government to fund embryonic stem cell research. However, I do believe that the federal government should be a strong advocate for stem cell research as it holds tremendous promise for solving a lot of the medical problems that people must face every day." Nov. 28, 2007 Frank McEnulty Top    Richardson, Bill (D) - Pro Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico, stated in a June 20, 2007 press release titled "Lifting Ban on Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research Would Be a Priority for Richardson": "With one pen stroke, President Bush has ignored hard science, embraced misplaced ideology and turned his back on the millions who stand to benefit from the advances that stem cell research holds... The President's veto is not the last word on advancing stem cell research. There is too much at stake for Democrats to back down. We must press forward because that's what a majority of Americans want. June 20, 2007 Bill Richardson Top    Romney, Mitt (R) - Con Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, stated in a Feb. 11, 2007 Associated Press article titled "Romney Wraps Self in Reagan Lingo": "I don't believe that somatic cell nuclear transfer or cloning and embryo farming are appropriate and would not pursue federal funding of those forms of stem cell research." Feb. 11, 2007 Mitt Romney Top    Smith, Christine (3rd/I) - Con Christine Smith, a Libertarian candidate and a social and political activist, stated in a Dec. 5, 2007 email to ProCon.org: "No. I oppose all federal government funding, regulation, or prohibition of stem cell research be it embryonic or adult stem cell research. There should be no prohibition on private funding/investment, private research, or private use of stem cells in treatments (since research will be private, progress may increase for researchers since funding will come with no strings attached whatsoever-no regulations). The American taxpayers should not be forced to fund research they may disagree with, but those who favor such research should be able to freely support it." Dec. 5, 2007 Christine Smith Top    Tancredo, Tom (R) - Con Tom Tancredo, U.S. Representative (R-CO), at the May 3, 2007 Republican Presidential Debate in Simi Valley, CA, stated: "There are billions of dollars going into this research right now. It does not require me taking money from federal... from taxpayers in the United States to fund it and -- because it is morally, I think, reprehensible in certain ways." May 3, 2007 Tom Tancredo Top    Thompson, Fred (R) - Con Fred Thompson, former U.S. Senator (R-TN), stated in a June 14, 2007 article titled "Exclusive: Fred Thompson Pro-Life Video Address" on the Christian Broadcasting Network News website: "On stem cell research, I'm for adult stem cell research not stem cell research where embryos of unborn children are destroyed. It looks to me like there is a lot of promising developments as far as adult stem cell research is concerned anyway and we don't need to go down that other road." June 14, 2007 Fred Thompson Top      Thompson, Tommy (R) - None Found   Withdrew on Sep. 12, 2007; no position found as of that date Top      Vilsack, Tom (D) - None Found   Withdrew on Feb. 23, 2007; no position found as of that date

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