MASSACHUSETTS: Stem Cell Legislation In Works For Mass.
By Jennifer Fenn - Eagle Boston Bureau
SOURCE: The Berkshire Eagle, MA
WWWeb: http://tinyurl.com/6bbaw

Article Published: Monday, November 22, 2004 - 2:15:32 AM EST

BOSTON -- A controversial issue that played out on the presidential
campaign trail this year is expected to take center stage in
Massachusetts in the coming months when the Legislature debates the
pros and cons of stem cell research.

Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham, the chairman of the House Health
Care Committee, plans to file legislation next month that authorizes
embryonic stem cell research in the state but bans reproductive
cloning and does not provide any financial support for the effort.

"Every piece of scientific evidence suggests that this is the best
hope to cure so much disease and heal so much trauma," Koutoujian
said. The legislation is necessary, supporters say, because the
current law defining an embryo is vague and arguably prohibits the
research in the state even though a handful of companies and academic
institutions in Massachusetts already are conducting stem cell
research.

Develop therapies

Stem cells are tiny, undifferentiated cells found in human em-bryos,
the blood from newborns' umbilical cords, and some adult tissues.

They have the unique ability to develop into human body tissue such
as muscle, organs or nerves. Scientists and researchers are
developing therapies using stem cells to repair and regenerate
damaged tissue and organs -- such as spinal cords severed in
accidents, causing paralysis.

Scientists say it could lead to the treatment of such conditions as
Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

At a time when California is investing $3 billion in stem cell
research, supporters say Massachusetts must make an attempt to keep
the business here.

Passing legislation endorsing stem cell research is a start, said
Stephen Mulloney, director of policy and public affairs for the
Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Mulloney said two for-profit
companies and a few academic institutions such as Harvard Medical
School and Children's Hospital are among those conducting research.

"Our science is very strong and stacks up favorably against any
centers in the world, but we want to maintain our competitive edge,''
Mulloney said. "I think we can do that by passing positive support
language. That sends a message that Massachusetts is open for
business. People kind of look for, and are influenced by, symbolic
gestures."

The council supports the cloning of human cells, genes and tissues
for the purpose of medical research and for treatments of diseases
and spinal cord injuries. However, the council opposes the use of
cloning technology for the purposes of initiating and bringing to
term a human pregnancy.

In the past year, the state Senate made two failed attempts to
endorse embryonic stem cell research. Although Senate President
Robert Travaglini, D-East Boston, welcomes the research, former House
Speaker Thomas Finneran, D-Mattapan, balked.

Finneran has since changed his position and is now the president of
the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.

His high-profile appointment to the council and his decision to
resign from the Legislature has given new life to the legislation.

And House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, D-Boston, said last week that he
endorses the research.

Other lawmakers are eager to take up the issue.

'Very supportive'

"Conceptually, I'm very supportive of it," said Rep. William
"Smitty'' Pignatelli, D-Lenox. "If the technology and science is
there to cure some of the terrible diseases, we owe it to people [to
give them a chance] to lead as healthy a life as possible."

However, despite the potential health and economic benefits,
lawmakers say it could be a while before the Legislature acts on stem
cell legislation.

There are critics who say it's wrong to destroy embryos that have
been grown in the course of fertility treatments for scientific
research because they could be developed into fetuses. Anti-abortion
groups such as the Massachusetts Citizens for Life oppose stem cell
research, for example.

Rep. William Greene, D-Billerica, said he supports stem cell research
but only using mature cells. Greene will not support legislation that
endorses the use of embryonic stem cells, because it involves
creating, then destroying, life, he said.

"It's a real tough one,'' Greene said. "It can do so much good if
they can make it work, but it's a very pressing moral issue as to
where we're going."

Many lawmakers also want to make sure there are safeguards in place
to prevent human cloning.

"There is a moral issue, so the legislation has got to be clear,
concise and direct and prove it's not going to lead to human
cloning,'' Pignatelli said.

But it's also a complicated issue that may require time for lawmakers
to get up to speed. Several legislators say they've started reading
up on it in anticipation of a debate next session.

Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, said he's eager to hear both
sides of the issue and to get more information about it.

"I really want to take a look at it,'' he said. "My inclination is
that, in some form or another, it should happen, but we all need to
do some research. It's important for us to become more educated on
it."

SOURCE: The Berkshire Eagle, MA
WWWeb: http://tinyurl.com/6bbaw

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