Ohio

OHIO CARRIES A surprising history of stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Since 1980, it has managed to reconcile with its conservative nature by limiting research to nonembryonic cell lines, though current state legislation closely follows the views of President George W. Bush and forbids the use of embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissue for experimentation. With notable effort from former Governor Taft, the state has made even more headway with its recent development of the multi—institutional Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine.

State regulation regarding stem cell research was originally established in 1974 and has not been altered since then. Within the Ohio Revised Code, a single clause hidden in the depths of “Offenses against the Family” is used to carry the full weight of ...