There are several entities in those places that are making medical advances that would be illegal here.
Possibly. I just don't recall reading about the huge revenues/market for stem cells that is exploding right now.
seems like I've also heard, or read, that adult stem cells have shown to be just as promising as embryonic
I dunno. It's an avenue worth exploring and we definitely would be behind the curve if it turns out to lead to major medical breakthroughs. As you've indicated, though, I don't think it'd be helping our economy out a whole lot at the present.
Sure there is potential - I just haven't seen any indication that it has been realized or is close to realization - and nothing suggesting there is some economic boom going on that we are missing.
that's why I posed the original question - stem cell research has very little if anything to do with direct foreign investment in the US and/or other parts of the world having a better business climate.