Stem cell research

Funding to 'U' concerns gov't, student groups

By Aymar Jean, Daily Staff Reporter
October 07, 2003

Two years after President Bush restricted federal funding for stem cell research, the University has received part of a
three-year, $6.3 million federal grant to fund work in this field.

The size of the grant pales in comparison to other federal contributions to medical research.

Last week, the National Institutes of Health announced a $2 billion initiative to promote medical research and
innovation. The NIH has an annual budget of $27 billion.

In addition, the Medical School will share the relatively small grant with two other research institutions, the
universities of Wisconsin and Washington.

But the symbolic nature of the grant, interpreted as a federal endorsement of embryonic stem cell research (ESCR), has
left interest groups ill-at-ease. Groups ranging from the University of Michigan's Students for Life and Right to Life
of Michigan expressed concern about this announcement.

Resistance extends into the Michigan Legislature as well, as bills proposing a ban on ESCR have been introduced in the
House of Representatives this year.

Expressing support for the University's research, Rep. Chris Kolb (D-Ann Arbor) explained that many of his colleagues
do not share the same view.

"The potential for cures and treatment are mind boggling, and trying to inject religion into science doesn't always
have the best outcomes. (Opponents) tie it to the abortion debate, instead of looking at the research potential," Kolb
said.

The controversy lies primarily with ESCR, since opponents extol the benefits of adult stem cell research (ASCR), which
uses cells acquired from grown adults.

"The government, and the University of Michigan, should immediately withdraw itself from this unethical and unproven
research in favor of adult stem cell research, which is both ethical and proven," said Ed Rivet, legislative director
for Right to Life of Michigan.

LSA senior Louise Conlon echoed this sentiment, saying that the opportunities for ASCR are comparable to ESCR. Conlon
also believes that "the ends do not justify the means," even if ESCR could save an inestimable number of lives.

"I'd like to emphasize all the success that adult stem cell research has been having. Stem cells can not only be
gleaned from embryos, but also from bone marrow and umbilical cords. And they've used these adult stem cells with great
success," said Conlon, who is president of the University Students for Life.

But Robert Kelch, the University's executive vice president for medical affairs, who will administer the federal funds,
said that argument is flawed. Since adult cells are fully matured, they exhibit less potential than embryonic cells,
which can develop into a number of different tissues, he said.

"The greatest potential for development for specialized tissues is with undifferentiated (embryonic) cells. That's not
to say that adult stem cells are not valuable. They are, and important work is going with them as well," Kelch said.

Opponents apprehensive about the research also express a fear of cloning.

In order to work with embryonic stem cells, researchers must first clone them, and many expressed a general fear that
this may lead to the cloning of humans.

According to the President Council on Bioethics, commissioned to evaluate the moral and ethical ramifications of stem
cell research, the NIH is required to attach guidelines to all federal funding. Among a number of provisions, the NIH
will not fund any research "for stem cells from embryos created through cloning," as stated in a September meeting of
the council.

"Part of that stems from a lack of understanding of science. That may be our fault, not translating the importance and
significance of the research," said Nancy Reame, who is a faculty member at the School of Nursing and has studied the
bioethics of cloning and assisted reproduction.

"It's wonderful that we're allowed to get involved with stem cell research, but there are other countries that have a
less restrictive political environment," she said.

Reame said she opposes the president's stand, which she feels is based on religious views and scientific
misconceptions.

Kelch refuted the claim that stem cell research will lead to human cloning.

"I don't know any reputable scientist who favors human cloning. And I am very opposed to human cloning.

Doing work on stem cell research will not lead to human cloning," Kelch said.

According to Kelch, the $2.3 million in grant funds that the University will receive has enormous potential. Studying
the un-replicated cells may allow scientists to eventually regenerate parts of organs, like the pancreas and liver, he
said.

Kelch added that, although the government has placed considerable restrictions on ESCR, he is pleased that the federal
government is moving forward with public research, as private research has continued unabated.

In August 2001, Bush formally restricted public research of embryonic stem cells, saying that the government would not
support the "destruction" of new embryos.

Bush has limited research on the 30 to 60 publicly available stem cell lines.

When addressing the nation on stem cell research two years ago, Bush highlighted the debate within the church over the
issue and claimed that the "more (people) know about stem cell research, the less certain they are about the right
ethical and moral conclusions."

Pros and cons of stem cell research

In favor of using embryos

*Relatively few embryos could save many lives

*Adult stem cells are less versatile, while embryonic cells develop into many different tissues

*Reputable scientists oppose cloning; embryonic cell duplication is merely a method, but an essential one

*Researchers use few embryonic cells, since existing cells can replicate

In opposition to using embryos

*Research on embryonic cells devalues life

*Embryonic research is not necessary, because researchers can use adult stem cells

*Unchecked, researchers will overuse stem cells, compounding the problem

* Embryonic stem cell research will lead to cloning of humans

SOURCE: The Michigan Daily
http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/10/07/3f823a98ef3f8

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