Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 16:30:03 -0400
Subject: FW: NJ Governor: $6.5 Million in FY04-05 Budget for Stem
CellResearch
From the Hudson (NJ) Reporter.

NJ gov to fund stem cell research
by Al Sullivan
Reporter senior staff writer  06/20/2004

The state of New Jersey, already ahead of the country in supporting the
concept of stem cell research to cure some of the most nagging diseases
facing humanity, is about to make an even bolder move by budgeting money
to help get the research off the ground.

Gov. Jim McGreevey is expected to unveil a new proposal during his
budget presentation on June 22, making New Jersey the first state in the
county to put money behind the effort.

McGreevey is expected to allocate $6.5 million in the fiscal 2004-5
budget to fund embryonic stem cell research, making New Jersey the first
state in the United States to use public funds for that purpose.

In comments made for this story, McGreevey cited Nancy Reagan, widow of
President Ronald Reagan, for her call to promote embryonic stem cell
research. Nancy Reagan defied the opposition by President George W. Bush
by asking the nation to help use research to find a cure for various
diseases like Alzheimer's disease, the disease that led to her husband's
death.

"Nancy Reagan's courage and dignity in calling for stem cell research
will hopefully be the foundation for the White House changing its
position," McGreevey said. "In New Jersey we clearly understand that
stem cell research offers the greatest amount of hope and possibilities
for thousands of citizen that suffer from Alzheimer's disease, cancer,
diabetes, Parkinson's disease and other diseases."

Stem cell research is controversial because it uses the cells of
discarded human embryos created for in vitro fertilization, but which
were not be used in the end.

Numerous conservative groups claim these embryos constitute the
earliest form of human life, even when they don't come from eggs
fertilized in a woman's body. These groups also believe that allowing
studies on human embryos would breach an important barrier, allowing for
further and even more terrifying human experimentation later on, such
human cloning.

Why is stem cell research important?

McGreevey said his position is partly based on the fact that stem cell
research can provide "groundbreaking hope" for people suffering from
serious spinal injuries. "This is not a Democratic or Republican issue,"
he said. "This is an issue of providing hope and opportunity for a
potential cure for our citizens, their families and their friends."

McGreevey called this one of the most important issues Americans face,
and something that New Jersey needs to move ahead on.

"This is not political; it's a matter of finding a political
breakthrough," he said.

Studies show that the human body is made up of a variety of cells, such
as cells that make up the heart, lungs, skin or blood. But all of these
evolve from a single kind of cell that is developed at the earliest
stages of embryonic human development. These cells - called embryonic
stem cells - are still waiting to evolve, and scientists believe the
secret to curing many of many incurable ailments may be found in how
they do evolve.

Because embryonic stem cells can only be found in human embryos, the
research has been opposed by numerous political and religious groups who
associate the research with abortion and human cloning.

In August 2001, President Bush, who opposes the research, banned the
use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. Federal policy
also restricts access to most discarded embryos.

Although individual states have the option to authorize such research,
New Jersey was among the first in the nation to do so earlier this year.
The New Jersey law, however, specifically banned human cloning, and
allowed researchers to only use excess human embryos created through in
vitro fertilization procedures. These embryos, which are no longer
needed, can be donated to science for study in the lab.

Hudson County played a huge role

If New Jersey has brought the issue to national attention, then Hudson
County brought the matter to New Jersey.

The movement to get legislation started with a handful of local people,
including Paul J. Byrne, chairman of the Right to Hope Committee, a
pro-research group.

Byrne approached Jamie Fox - then an advisor to the McGreevey for
Governor Campaign - to have stem cell research added to the state
Democratic platform.

"We needed this to be part of the general election and part of a
statewide debate," Byrne recalled.

McGreevey accepted the challenge, and his victory over conservative
Republican Bret Schundler - who opposed the research - seemed to propel
the matter forward, although legislation was sharply opposed by many
churches and anti-abortion groups.

In a savvy political move, Assembly Speaker and West New York Mayor
Albio Sires put the matter to a vote during the lame duck session late
in the year. This is the last session before the newly elected members
of the legislature take over in mid-January. In a cantankerous
legislative session, the bill squeaked through and McGreevey signed it
into law.

A short time later, McGreevey also established a research lab at
Rutgers University dedicated to embryonic stem cell research. Now by
budgeting public funds to support research, McGreevey takes a bold step
making New Jersey the first state in the nation to do so.

John Kerry, Democratic candidate for President - with whom McGreevey
has met - has already made support of the research part of his campaign,
and the matter will likely become part of the Democratic political
platform.

"Stem cell research has become an issue of national significance," said
state Sen. Bernard Kenny, "and New Jersey has taken the lead. This is an
effort to advance the science and technology, which can improve the
quality of life of people. The governor and this legislature have seized
a historic initiative."

Hudson County legislators still support the research

"This is not about politics, it is about life and health," said
Assemblyman Louis Manzo (D-31st Dist.) who represents Jersey City and
Bayonne. "The governor and our state will take the lead in providing
hope to people who have Alzheimer's disease, Sickle Cell disease or
Diabetes. No one can realize the impact and benefits this research will
produce. And this stand will resonate long after the ink has faded on
the legislation."

Manzo said the move will also will benefit families and others who have
to care for sufferers, and will reduce the overall medical costs paid to
take care of people who become disabled by these diseases.

"Potentially this research will unlock the door, and will give us a
savings in human life and will reduce people's pain," he said.

Hoboken Councilman Tony Soares, who suffers from conditions associated
with dwarfism, said he is glad to live in New Jersey.

"I hope that one day soon, the people across the country will be able
to benefit from research that will derive from Governor McGreevey's stem
cell legislation," he said. "The fact is, with so many couples having in
vitro fertilization, the rise in extra embryos makes hope available. If
a couple donates their eggs it's their personal choice to help a person
in need of a cure, and they are the true heroes in all of this."

As a result of their vote, some legislators have suffered the wrath of
several bishops, who publicly stated they would not issue Holy Communion
to the governor and other legislators who voted for the bill.

Kenny publicly responded to the challenge from the church by restating
his support for the legislation.

"This is about using our intellectual abilities to improve the delivery
of health care services," said Kenny. "This is the humanitarian position
to take. We need to find a cure for the insurable. This is not
political. It is simply the right thing to do."

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