I feel like it's been held back for a decade or two by, mostly, the religious right, and I wonder how many people's lives are worse off as a result.

Why was it held back? The only legislation passed was around gov't funding of new embyonic stem cell lines. Private money has no restrictions.

I wonder how many more lives would have been ended had federal dollars funded research using embryonic stem cells.

The religious right (US-version):

Life begins at conception and every life is special.

Also for: guns, more prisons, war on drugs, war on terror, global warming does not exist, borderline racist social policies, george bush jr., "doesn't trust science", lack of financial success can only be the result of personal failings (and choices), and no taxes because "who needs roads" and "I did it all myself".

Not saying you (PP) share any of those, but why is it that the supposed humanitarian group when it comes to embryos tends to treat actual living members of society so poorly?

Meanwhile, the bleeding heart liberals are all baby killers (or at least, there's a rather large distinction between embryos and babies, in their opinion).

Serious question, isn't that a weird dichotomy?

A group who actively works to convince others they are victims is treating others poorly.

I long for days when it won't really matter how you feel about stem cell research.