Replying to Stem Cells

Well, another bill just was passed by the House again about easing the ban on Stem Cell research. And for the second time, Bush will almost assuredly veto it. So a few things;

As a student and a researcher, I believe Stem Cell research is absolutely vital for medical treatment progress and better healthcare. Its already been demonstrated that this technology has amazing curative potential, and investigating it would bring hope to many ill and injured people across the world.

Is it worth it to utilize a fertilized embryo made up of only a hundred cells if it will benefit millions? Is an embryo, no matter how small, a human life?

I've made up my mind about the first, but interested to hear what people have to say about the second.