 |
 |
The Dallas Morning News Stem cell research What role should the federal government play? 06/24/2001 Stem cells have been deemed the 21st-century equivalent of antibiotics. Scientists believe these master cells, the precursors to other cells in the body, can be prompted to develop treatments if not cures for everything from juvenile diabetes to Alzheimer's. Stem cells can be harvested from many sources, ranging from fertilized human eggs to certain adult tissues. Controversy has surrounded research on embryonic stem cells because the process of removing the stem cell from an embryo eliminates that embryo's potential life. This process raised questions about whether the federal government should support embryonic stem cell research. The federal government is prohibited from funding research that creates or destroys human embryos. To comply with that prohibition, the Health and Human Services Department has ruled that federal funds could not be used to remove stem cells from embryos but that federal funds could be used by scientists to do research on those cells. Some consider this a side-door practice that should not be allowed. Before any federal funding was disbursed for such research, President Bush called for a policy review that is expected to soon be complete. Should the government support embryonic stem cell research? YES The stem cells come from sources that were to be discarded anyway, such as fertilized eggs left over from in-vitro fertilizations and legally aborted embryos and fetuses. Federal funding not only would assure government supervision, it would speed the development of treatments that could save lives. It would be unethical not to pursue promising research on embryonic stem cells and thereby delay needed therapies. Dr. John Gearhart, a pioneering stem cell researcher at Johns Hopkins University, points out that adult stem cells have restricted potential, so the embryonic cell research is essential. NO Supporting research on the stem cells of the unborn indirectly supports the destruction of human life, which is not a business the federal government should be in. The government need not be supporting such research. For those scientists wanting to pursue such research, private dollars can be raised. Other sources of stem cells show promise. For example, stem cells can be taken from umbilical cords – the Texas Legislature recently approved the establishment of an umbilical cord blood bank, which might assist such research locally. OUR VIEW: This research deserves federal funding This should not be a debate about abortion or in-vitro fertilization, but a consideration of the life-giving possibilities of embryonic stem cell research. Federal funding of research on such cells should be supported. The fact is that embryos from which stem cells are culled already are fated for elimination. Federal funding could allow for controls while facilitating important therapeutic research that would aide the lives of many Americans. With GOP conservatives like Connie Mack of Florida, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and Orrin Hatch of Utah expressing their compassionate support for embryonic stem cell research, President Bush would have conservative company in supporting funding. He could satisfy his scruples and right-to-life supporters by considering a third way for the short term – allowing federal funding for research on existing stem cell lines and currently frozen fertilized eggs, which number in the thousands. This issue should not be demagogued. There are several ways to obtain good science with a clear conscience. http://www.dallasnews.com/editorial/401499_stemcellresear.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn