Used by both sides, I'm afraid. For liberals, it was an opportunity to attack the administration for being "unscientific," to spread the false idea that ALL stem cell research was forbidden (in fact, it's only about Federal funding for embryonic stem cell work, and even then, certain embryonic stem cell lines are considered okay), and to pander to the pro-abortion base.

Later, it also became a pork issue, as states created their own embryonic programs, which I expect will turn out to be boondoggles for the most part.

For some hint of what's happening with California's $3 billion (bond money) program, wander down this site for a while. Subtract the cronyism, insider trading, and politics, and see how much science is left.

The California program is three years old.