washington. first, whether embryonic stem cell research is ethical and today, the focus is on the second question, whether taxpayer dollars will be used to fund it. they ordered federally funded embryonic stem cell research to come to a stop, a number of lawmakers decided it was time for them to step in. they called it an emergency. democratic senator arlen specter said scientists are in limbo and their research projects face an uncertain future because the funding that makes them possible is uncertain. he s introduced a law to restart that funding and a similar bill has been introduced in the house. it is clear, there is not a consensus on capitol hill when it comes to this controversy. this is a matter of conscience for me. but more importantly, it is a matter of conscience for millions of americans who are deeply troubled by the idea that their taxpayer dollars may be used to destroy another human life. there are 400,000 frozen