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> Subject: NEWS: Made-To-Order Stem Cells Spark Ethics Debate > From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2001 22:58:01 -0700 WIRE: 07/11/2001 6:15 pm ET Made-To-Order Stem Cells Spark Ethics Debate By Deborah Zabarenko WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Embryonic stem cells created purely for research from donated human sperm and eggs drew opposition on Wednesday from some scientists who generally support this research, and a key opponent called the practice "grotesque." This latest development in the U.S. debate over federal funding for research using these cells added fuel to the controversy that is to be resolved soon by President Bush. At issue is whether to approve federal research funds for work with stem cells taken from excess embryos created through in vitro fertilization that are already slated for disposal. Wednesday's announcement by scientists at the privately funded Jones Institute for Reproductive Research that they had created embryos from volunteer donors of eggs and sperm drew critical comment from a group of biomedical researchers that firmly supports embryonic stem cell research. "We think that that's an unnecessary approach, given the availability of discarded materials from in vitro fertilization procedures," said Sidney Golub, executive director of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, which represents some 60,000 researchers. Golub noted in a telephone interview that the group supports guidelines set by the National Institutes of Health which forbid the creation of embryos only for research. Richard Doerflinger, of the U.S. Catholic Church's Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities and a prime critic of embryonic stem cell research, offered harsher criticism. "Those who have become accustomed to destroying 'spare' embryos for research now think nothing of taking the next horrible step -- creating human life for the purpose of destroying it," Doerflinger said in a statement. Doerflinger said this "grotesque practice" would surely spread if the U.S. government approves funds for embryonic stem cell research. The Catholic Church opposes any research that destroys embryos. WHERE WILL STEM CELL RESEARCH LEAD? Gene Tarne, a spokesman for Do No Harm, a coalition of scientists, lawyers and others opposed to embryonic stem cell research, had a similar dispute with the practice. "This is indicative of the direction where this type of embryonic stem cell research will lead," Tarne said by telephone. Alta Charo, a professor of law and medical ethics at the University of Wisconsin -- where scientists first isolated stem cells from human embryos -- was more accepting. "I think that the promise that scientific research offers for the treatment of human disease, as well as the promise for faster and safer development of pharmaceuticals suggests that it should be pursued," Charo said by telephone, referring to the Jones Institute research. She said there could be scientific or therapeutic benefits from using stem cells from embryos that are "so-called made to order," and if this was the case, the interests of patients who might be helped by the research takes precedence over the interests of the embryos. "We must consider the interests of the patients as paramount, because the patients are sentient, they're aware, they're currently suffering," Charo said. "And I think that has to take precedence over the preservation of early forms of life that cannot be self-aware, cannot suffer, cannot be disappointed." Embryonic stem cells are early master cells that can develop into a variety of cells in the human body, and may help in the development of new treatments for such ailments as diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. SOURCE: ABC News / REUTERS http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20010711_322.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn