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Stem cell battle intensifies Emotions rise as Bush nears decision on federal funding for research By CRAIG GILBERT of the Journal Sentinel staff Last Updated: July 17, 2001 Science and Medicine Study: Supports research Washington - How emotionally pointed is the debate over embryonic stem cell research? Consider two scenes from Capitol Hill on Tuesday. In one, 35-year-old Shelbie Oppenheimer, diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, declared the research her best shot at living long enough to "watch my daughter blossom." "Mr. President," she implored. "You have the choice to be pro-life for un-implanted frozen embryos that will be discarded - or pro-life for me." In the other, John Borden stood before a House committee holding infant twins, children that were once frozen embryos, later thawed and implanted in his wife's womb. He deplored the idea of using federal funds to extract stem cells from human embryos, thereby destroying them. "Which one of my children would you kill?" he grimly asked lawmakers. With a decision by the president nearing, both sides in this intense debate are fighting an ardent battle over public opinion. "As emotional as this debate is between members of Congress, I think it's just as emotional with the public at large," said one Republican at the House hearing, John Mica of Florida. President Bush is reviewing a decision by the Clinton administration to allow federal grants for research on stem cells taken from human embryos. As the building blocks for other cells in the body, stem cells offer special promise for treating disease. Many scientists say the study of embryonic stem cells could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of Parkinson's, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other grave conditions. But critics say the research is unethical, because it involves the destruction of human embryos, typically ones unneeded by fertility clinics. Bush said in his campaign that he opposed federal funding for such research. But his aides say he is now wrestling with the science and ethics of the issue. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, Wisconsin's former governor, has proposed a compromise under which the federal government would pay for experiments using cells that already have been obtained from embryos but not for any research that requires the destruction of additional embryos. Some lawmakers appear conflicted about the question. Republican Dan Burton of Indiana, an abortion opponent, said Tuesday he still hoped "we can find an acceptable middle ground." But many on both sides of the issue believe that's impossible. 'Our lives in their hands' "There is no room for compromise on stem cell research," House Republican Connie Morella of Maryland said Tuesday at a news conference outside the Capitol organized by supporters of federal funding. The event was meant to put a "human face" on the case for more research, and featured several adults and children suffering from juvenile diabetes, Rett syndrome and other illnesses. Joan Samuelson, who founded the Parkinson's Action Network and suffers from the disease, described how the affliction will methodically shut her body down. "And then I'll be unable to speak, and then I'll be unable to swallow and then I'll die," she said at the news conference. "President Bush and Congress hold our lives in their hands. Embryos are being discarded that could be saving me and millions of others with Parkinson's," she said. Senate Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania declared that when Bush "understands" the scientific and public policy implications and "where the votes are, we're going to win this thing." 'Another form of genocide' But opponents of federal funding also sought Tuesday to humanize their argument that "excess" frozen embryos produced for in vitro fertilization constitute human lives that should not be destroyed for experimental research. Two mothers of children born from adopted frozen embryos made appearances here Monday and Tuesday, speaking out against funding. At Tuesday's House hearing, Marlene Strege called the destruction of frozen embryos "another form of genocide." John Borden's wife, Lucinda, called it "slaughter." Lawmakers who oppose funding argued that the government should fund research on adult stem cells instead, and that the promise of embryonic stem cell research had been exaggerated. Florida Republican Dave Weldon, a doctor, challenged the idea that embryonic stem cells are a more promising and less problematic subject for research than adult stem cells. "That is a preposterous assumption," he said. In one sign of the passions here on the issue, lawmakers on both sides of the debate made a point of personalizing their arguments, citing loved ones and constituents afflicted by diabetes, Alzheimer's or other serious diseases. "It's a matter of life and death that stem cell research go forward," said New York Democrat Carolyn Maloney. "I want to see cures . . . all of us do," said New Jersey Republican Chris Smith. "The question is do we proceed ethically or unethically?" Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 18, 2001. SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online http://www.jsonline.com/alive/news/jul01/stem18071701.asp * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn