NEW JERSEY: Governor Intensifies Research Advocacy
He hopes N.J. leads in stem cell work.

Sunday, February 15, 2004
By TERRENCE DOPP
The Express-Times PA

TRENTON -- Gov. James E. McGreevey on Friday stepped up calls to entice stem cell researchers to the Garden State.

"By encouraging stem cell research, we will not only be providing an environment that will benefit the health of New
Jersey's citizens but will also provide for increased investment in New Jersey's bio-medical industry, more high-paying
jobs and prestige for our research universities," McGreevey wrote to Health Commissioner Clifton Lacey in a letter
asking him to recommend ways to boost stem cell research.

"What we hope to have is that New Jersey becomes a place this type of research" is enhanced, said Micah Rasmussen, a
McGreevey spokesman. "We certainly respect every opinion, we certainly do. But this type of research is too important
and too critical."

Lacey's office did not return a call Friday seeking comment.

McGreevey signed a bill in January encouraging research into the use of undifferentiated, building-block cells as a
means to cure diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Opponents see the bill as a way to get around President George W. Bush's decree that research involve 67 existing lines
of the cells. But supporters contend the research could lead to a cure for everything from cancer to brain injuries.

McGreevey's request came the day after South Korean scientists announced they had successfully created human embryos
through cloning for research purposes. In making the announcement, the researchers also called for strong regulations
against reproductive cloning.

The scientists created the embryos from extracted stem cells, which have not yet split themselves into specialized
types and scientists believe have the ability to effectively become any type of cell.

While most researchers believe these cells could cure Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, debate over the
Garden State legislation revolves around the distinction between "adult" and "embryonic" stem cells.

According to scientists, adult cells are the type all humans have within their bodies during the course of their lives
while embryonic stem cells are cells at the beginning phase of life, making them potentially easier to grow.

Researchers have said the technology is too new to know if either adult or embryonic cells will be effective.

But some groups such as New Jersey Right to Life opposed the bill and McGreevey's push for research because they said
cloning would be necessary to create embryonic cells.

Those cloned embryos would then be killed for the stem cells, one activist said.

"It's a brazen admission that the bill he signed in January does indeed allow human cloning and it demonstrates his mad
zeal to draw media attention and cloning zealots to New Jersey," said Marie Tasy, public and legislative affairs
director for Right to Life.

The measure cleared the Senate in November 2002 in a 25-0 vote. The Assembly approved it more than a year later Dec. 15
by a vote of 41-32 with seven abstentions.

Like the original legislation sponsoring them, lawmakers' opinions were split on McGreevey's call for increased
research in New Jersey.

Assemblyman Michael Doherty, a conservative Republican, said he is in favor of research on the adult variety of stem
cells but is opposed to any testing involving the embryonic contingent.

"With embryonic stem cells, you're essentially creating life for research purposes and then ending that life," said
Doherty, R-Hunterdon/Warren. "I think the McGreevey policy is absolutely wrong. I think he's just trying to placate the
pro-abortion crowd."

Assemblyman Douglas Fisher, D-3 of Cumberland, disagreed, saying the bill prevents human cloning.

"It's something that is going to take place whether it's regulated or not. Frankly, the government has to have a hand
in the process," Fisher said. "We certainly are encouraging stem cell research but we know it is constantly going to be
challenged."

Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, R-Hunterdon/Warren, said he abstained on the bill based upon the cloning issue.

"The situation in South Korea is very serious and I think it has a very negative potential," Lance said. "I think the
Legislature should make sure this type of situation does not occur in New Jersey. The South Korea situation worries all
of us. Here in New Jersey, we should monitor it."

New Jersey is not alone in debating stem cell research, which has been at the center of debate in the field of
bioethics.

The law bans human cloning, making it a first-degree crime punishable by 10 to 20 years imprisonment or a $200,000 fine
or both.

But in one controversial aspect, the law approved by McGreevey and the Legislature defines "cloning of a human being"
as the replication of a human individual by cultivating a cell with genetic material through the egg, embryo, fetal and
newborn stages into a new human individual.

Detractors contend this is too vague and could allow a cloned baby to be born then killed for research.

New Jersey Right to Life also argued the bill allows a woman to be implanted with a cloned fetus and leaves government
powerless to prevent her from giving birth.

SOURCE: The Express Times, PA
http://tinyurl.com/2dy7l

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