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The following originally appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune on July 25th, and was reprinted in today's Buffalo News. It is an op/ed article by a leading cancer researcher, and I think is a good summary of the reasons that ALL stem cell research should be funded, considering scientific, ethical and political issues. The headline that appeared in the Buffalo News was " Stem Cell Research - the View from the Patient's Bedside." Linda FROM: The San Diego Union-Tribune July 25, 2001, Wednesday SECTION: OPINION;Pg. B-7 HEADLINE: The case for stem cell research BYLINE: Stephen J. Forman; Forman is chair of the Division of Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplantation and director of the Hematologic Neoplasia Program at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles. " As a physician and advocate for people suffering from cancer, patients often ask me how close we are to curing their diseases. I reply that we are making significant progress, but we must fully understand the human body at its most fundamental levels -- molecular and cellular -- to one day eradicate cancer and other debilitating diseases. That is why the federal government must fund promising research, especially investigations using embryonic stem cells. The past 25 years of my professional life have been dedicated to the practice of cancer medicine, including bone marrow transplantation. Each year my colleagues and I attend a reunion of transplant survivors whose numbers are growing due in large part to discoveries made about stem cells derived from bone marrow, which can develop into all of the cells of our blood and immune system. Laboratory research performed with stem cells has found them to be remarkably flexible, because under the correct conditions, they can be coaxed into becoming a variety of different cell types. This has tremendous therapeutic implications not only for cancer patients but also for the millions suffering from diabetes; neurological disorders including stroke, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease; and heart disease. Embryonic stem cells are thought to be more productive, that is, they have a longer life span and a greater ability to reproduce and develop into cells of other tissues than adult stem cells. I agree wholeheartedly that careful, peer-reviewed research with adult stem cells should continue. Several questions remain: Can adult stem cells provide therapeutic actions superior to those garnered from embryonic stem cells? Can they be prodded to develop into all of the 220 different types of tissue in the human body? Hypotheses abound, but no one knows for sure -- which is precisely why we must undertake rigorous scientific investigations of every variety of stem cell. These investigations must take place under the microscope of guidelines that cover federally funded research. Furthermore, the research must be conducted in the "daylight" which government funding provides, where the findings will be accessible to all instead of restricted to a few proprietary interests. All of us, physicians, scientists and most especially patients, appreciate the president's commitment to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health. My hope is that our elected officials will allow our work on stem cells to continue to evolve. Scientific pursuits must be exempt from the vagaries of politics and special interests. It is time to look to the interests of the country and its people as a whole, and allow the scientific community to develop tomorrow's cures and treatments. Patients suffering from debilitating diseases should not have to fear that ongoing research that may one day cure them will be discontinued. Investigators conducting long-term studies should not have to fear that changes in national leadership would abruptly halt their work. As a practicing hematologist/oncologist, I look forward to the day when we will be able to turn stem cells into specific tissues to replace those lost or damaged by cancer. The potential of embryonic stem cell research for cancer and almost every debilitating disease should not be underestimated. All of the life-saving research that we have done has been the product of careful investigations, sometimes with controversy and spirited public discussion, but always focused on the needs of humans suffering from life-altering disorders. When battling life-threatening diseases, one of the final questions that people ask physicians is if they have done all they can to save their lives or the lives of their loved ones. If that question is asked of President Bush, how will he respond? On behalf of our patients and their families I ask Bush to respect the scientific counsel he has sought and allow research on embryonic stem cells to proceed with the support of the federal government." " Forman is chair of the Division of Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplantation and director of the Hematologic Neoplasia Program at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles. He can be reached via e-mail at [log in to unmask] " ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn