Senator Harkin, member of the Senate Health and Education Committee, delivered a keynote address on whether states can override President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act and continue stem cell research in the face of federal inaction. Governor Doyle talked about Wisconsin’s commitment to stem cell research.

A panel moderated by Mr. Moreno discussed the scientific and ethical implications of legislative action on stem cell research and the effects President Bush’s veto. Topics included biomedical initiatives that could continue within an ethical framework, the role of various medical disciplines, international stem cell research, different laws in different states regarding embryonic stem cell research, and research financing. Following their presentations the panelists responded to audience members' questions.