The new U. S. policy over funding of embryonic stem cell research was challenged, halted and temporarily restored over the last six weeks.

However, the series of dramatic events have impacted many laboratories. One of the victim cases involves Jason Spence, a Junior Scientist. He was granted with a coveted federal research grant of over $101,000 on September
1, 2009. The research aimed to turn embryonic stem cells into pancreatic and liver tissue.

However, following the government ruling to prohibit the use federal financing for embryonic stem cell research to destroy embryos, Dr. Spence was not given his second installment of his grant, which included his salary as well.

However, the law was temporarily reinstated on stem cell research money and Dr. Spence was given his grant money.

Later, Senator Arlen Specter, Democrat of Pennsylvania, presented a bill that aimed to grant official right for federal financing for human embryonic stem cell research. The bill triggered new hopes for Dr. Spence.

However, the bill failed to take its effect. But on September 27 Dr. Spence's mentor at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, James Wells, posited that until Congress raised to shield embryonic stem cell research, the research will not be permitted in the laboratory.