Stem Cell Researchers Watching Legislative Moves

By JEFF KAROUB Associated Press Writer
Filed at 7:57 a.m. ET

DETROIT (AP) -- A leading University of Michigan researcher said Tuesday the school now can accept private donations of unused human embryos for creating new stem cell lines.

On Wednesday, Dr. Eva Feldman and other researchers will be watching the progress of proposed legislation they fear could hamper their efforts to create those lines and find cures for many diseases.

More than a year after Michigan voters approved a ballot proposal that loosened restrictions on embryonic stem cell research by allowing people to donate embryos left over from fertility treatments, another heated debate begins.

On one side are the researchers, who have begun to ramp up their work with embryonic stem cells on many fronts. On the other are legislators who have introduced bills that would establish regulations such as reporting requirements, clarified language and penalties for violations related to Proposal 2, which voters approved 53 percent to 47 percent. Read more at ABCNews.com.