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INTRODUCTION: The legal issue to be investigated here is Embryonic Stem Cell Research- is all the advancements being made in the interest of society? Yes, they are and this valuable research should continue. This essay will explore Embryonic Stem Cell Research and evaluate its impact on society. WHAT IS EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH? The principle of Embryonic Stem Cell Research may sound daunting, but its principle can be explained in fairly simple terms. An embryo is formed when a woman’s egg is fertilised. Five days after fertilisation, the embryo is a ball of cells less that 1/7th of a millimetre across. Inside this ball are the so-caller Embryonic Stem Cells that have the ability to develop into literally any of the more than 200 cell types in the body. (Davies, 2003:24) These cells are then harvested to perform research that has the potential to save lives. So, obviously, this research could be valuable for the future of the human race. And surely it is not against the law to save lives? COMMONWEALTH LAW Senator Ian McDonald said before the senate that “…if there is any chance that stem cell research into some of the tragic disease and aliments that afflict humankind will lead to cures then that is an act