The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Bill would ban making embryos for research Stem cell work should continue, Welch says By BETH KORMANIK of the Journal Sentinel staff Last Updated: Aug. 8, 2001 Two legislators plan to introduce a bill that would ban the creation and destruction of human embryos for research. The measure would not bar stem cell research, said Sen. Bob Welch (R-Redgranite), one of the proposed bill's authors. Welch said the Human Embryo Protection Act, which he plans to announce today with Rep. Steve Freese (R-Dodgeville), would allow most stem cell research and in vitro fertilization to continue. But the measure would prohibit the creation and destruction of human embryos for research. It would encompass human cloning, which relies on embryonic stem cells. "We think this is a middle ground," Welch said. "We're not trying to ban stem cell research. That should continue, and Wisconsin should be a leader in that research." A scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison first isolated embryonic stem cells in 1998, and UW-Madison researchers continue to lead developments in the field. Stem cells are primitive cells that could form any tissue or organ. Welch suggested researchers use alternatives to embryonic stem cells, which he considers human life. Alternatives include placental, umbilical, animal and synthetic stem cells. Welch speculated that within 18 months researchers would create new methods to experiment with stem cells that would not involve human embryos, but "we need to stick to our ethics" and ban their use as soon as possible. UW-Madison Chancellor John D. Wiley issued a statement Wednesday opposing the proposed bill, saying the university is poised to lead the nation in embryonic stem cell research, which could lead to cures for diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's. "We are currently in position to influence how this research is conducted, consistent with the high ethical standards we follow," Wiley said in the statement. "The university opposes legislation that would restrict its ability to advance medical knowledge through this research." But Welch said most research can continue without inventing and destroying human life. "That is the appropriate place to draw the line. Everyone gets hung up, saying we're trying to ban stem cell research. That's not even close," Welch said. "That's not what we're trying to do. This is revolutionary medicine. We need to continue to lead the world in it," he said. On the national level, President Bush is considering whether to permit federal financing for research on embryonic stem cells. Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, now secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, favors the research. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Aug. 9, 2001 SOURCE: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug01/welch09080801.asp * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn