The ban has come to be seen in a new light as the promise of research into embryonic stem cells has grown. Undeveloped cells, known as "pluripotent stem cells" are believed to have the ability to morph into virtually any other kind of cell in the human body, replenishing those that are diseased.

Scientists theorize that the cells could be coaxed into becoming bone marrow for the treatment of cancers and sickle-cell anemia, pancreatic cells that could help cure diabetes and neuronal cells for the treatment of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and various brain and spinal cord injuries. A recent report conducted by the National Institutes of Health concluded that stem cells from human embryos offer a "dazzling array" of potential treatments.

Embryonic research isn't the only kind of stem cell experimentation that has shown promise. Research on so-called adult stem cells, usually extracted from bone marrow, has actually posted a more impressive clinical record than embryonic stem cells.