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Milwaukee Journal Sentinal GOP moves to ban stem cell research Measure to split DNR in two makes Assembly's budget By STEVEN WALTERS of the Journal Sentinel staff Last Updated: June 22, 2001 Madison - After an emotional debate, Republicans who control the state Assembly voted Friday to ban stem cell research in Wisconsin beginning in January, and to ban research on fetal tissue and human embryos. That provision - and one equally as controversial that would split the Department of Natural Resources into two separate agencies - were added to the proposed state budget that the GOP-controlled Assembly is expected to approve next week. The GOP measure would prohibit fetal tissue, human embryo and stem cell research, although stem cells developed and stored up through Jan. 1 could still be used for research. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a world leader in stem cell research to cure fatal diseases. Rep. Sheryl Albers (R-Loganville) offered the research bans, saying it was a compromise for her to allow research on stem cells from human embryos developed and stored until Jan. 1. "You have to start at some point," Albers said of the Jan. 1 date. "We aren't saying all these stems cells . . . have to be eliminated." Albers and other Republicans said life starts at fertilization, so using stem cells from human embryos is a "barbaric" act. "We ought not to take a life and use it as a test sample," added Rep. Judy Krawczyk (R-Green Bay). Impact on research? But other Republicans defended stem cell research, saying it has already led to medical breakthroughs that are helping keeping the critically ill alive and will continue to so. "The world is changing," said Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), who pointed out that McCallum is trying to get more high-tech medical companies to expand or locate in Wisconsin. "We want that company here that is going to find a cure for cancer . . . for leukemia." "If this research can save one of my children, my wife or a loved one, I say, 'Let the research take place,' " added Rep. Rick Skindrud (R-Mount Horeb). Stem cell research is so controversial that President George W. Bush has yet to take a position on it. Tommy G. Thompson, Bush's secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department and someone who praised the leading UW-Madison stem cell researcher when he was governor of Wisconsin, has offered to set the federal policy on the research, but Bush aides have stopped Thompson from doing so. Kevin Boatright, a UW spokesman, said Friday the proposed ban was a disappointment given the "firm stance" the university took this spring in support of human embryonic stem cell research. "If it were an outright ban on research involving human embryonic stem cell research, I think it would be very damaging to the biotechnology industry in the state and to the future of the medical research that is so important to the University of Wisconsin," he said. "This would have a negative effect." Assembly Minority Leader Spencer Black (D-Madison) blasted the measure. "The Assembly Republicans have adopted a far-out right-wing view. They have put radical anti-abortion politics ahead of people suffering from incurable diseases," he said. Before recommending the 2002 stem cell research ban in Wisconsin, Assembly Republicans approved the same basic anti-abortion package of changes they endorsed two years ago. Those changes would: Prohibit the use of public employees and public property for all abortion-related activities. Deny tax funds for any organization that engages in abortion-related activities. Enact a "conscience clause" provision for pharmacists that would allow them to not fill prescriptions for the abortion drug RU-486. SNIP Democrats who control the state Senate passed their version of the 2001-'03 budget on Wednesday - a budget that looks nothing like the one Assembly Republicans plan to finish developing Monday. When both Assembly and Senate have passed their versions of the budget, leaders from both houses must resolve their differences and agree on a final budget that McCallum must sign into law. Nahal Toosi and Jessica Hansen of the Journal Sentinel staff, reporting from Milwaukee, contributed to this report. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on June 23, 2001. http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/jun01/assem23062201a.asp * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn