Opinions Divided Over Stem Cell Research

ATLANTA - Should embryonic stem cell research be restricted in Georgia? That's the question lawmakers are considering in Atlanta Tuesday. This after President Obama lifted federal restrictions on funding the research.

It's expected the Senate Rules Committee will decide on Senate Bill 169 Tuesday night.

It defines a living human embryo as a person and so, if passed, won't allow the destruction of an embryo for scientific research.

Joey Hornbuckle -- 18-years-old has watched his dad-battle Huntington's disease.

"I miss him a lot. I go see him every couple of weeks. That's not my real dad -- that's what's left of him," said Joe Hornbuckle.

His father lives in a group home. His son said the one time professor now has the mind of a child.

"Huntington's disease begins when you're about 40-years old and basically your brain starts to decay. Nervous system goes with it," said Hornbuckle.

Hornbuckle knows he has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the disease. He was encouraged to hear President Obama had lifted restrictions on funding embryonic stem cell research.

But Daniel Becker with Georgia Right to Life does not support President Obama's decision.

"President Obama just enabled the destruction of human life without their informed consent, said Daniel Becker.

In fact, Becker supports a Georgia bill that would restrict embryonic stem cell research in Georgia.

"Georgia Right to Life is very much in favor of stem cell research. We're just opposed to that which takes human life. There's a multitude of different types of stem cell research, many of which producing cures very promising," said Becker.

Here at Georgia Tech's Department of Biomedical Engineering; researchers said embryonic stem cells provide them with something other kinds of stem cells can't.

Joey Hornbuckle hopes stem cells will help treat his dad's disease and perhaps cure him if he gets it too.

"It worries me sometimes. It's always complicated to describe to girlfriend when you're 40 you might start losing your head and everything," said Hornbuckle.

If the senate rules committee approves bill 169 -- it could make it to the senate later this week for a vote.

If it passes -- scientists in Georgia -- like at Georgia Tech -- will still do embryonic stem cell research --but will get their embryo's from other states.