Mike, I am actually a Conservative that favors Stem Cell Research. Thanks for giving your little brother and mother even more publicity for their stance on the issue.
Conservatives know that the issue isn't 'stem cell' - it's government funding, and graft, and largesse. Follow the money.
The Bush Administration allows for a number of 'lines' of 'stem cells'. Complaints have been made that certain embryonic lines provide 'more flexibility'. But it's unclear if it's much of an advantage over those not taken immorally. Rather, as I recall a spokesman for Harvard (if anyone remembers for sure, please let me know) during convention coverage, debating an administration official, ultimately said the issue is really just government funding - not 'stem cell', by itself.
It was his opinion that the only worthwhile or 'real' medical research ever done in this country came as a result of massive govenment funding - essentially equating medical research, generally, with defense spending and military sector innovation and spinoff.
So, that's the issue you're debating.
Stem cell research is not even an issue. Its the source of the stem cells that is an issue. There are several sources of stem cells that were originally taken from embryos that have been grown for research. There is research on adult stem cells.
The so-called-need for harvesting babies for even more stem cells is simply a political need to justify abortions. It gives everybody a warm fuzzy to see Christopher Reeves smile while he learns to move the pinky finger on his left hand. Too bad the thirty or forty babies that were harvested from their mother aren't quite so photogenic after they've had their limbs removed so ol' Chris can have a photo-op.