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The Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA Lifting of bars on stem cells sought Article Published: Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 8:27:19 PM PST Medicine: Scientists say only 11 lines, not 70, are available for research. By Randolph E. Schmid, Associated Press WASHINGTON Only 11 human stem cell lines are available for research, far fewer than originally estimated, the director of the National Institutes of Health reports. The finding led to a call for lifting the restriction that President Bush placed on stem cell research. NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, writing in today's edition of the journal Science, says his agency is giving a high priority to research using stem cells because of the potential for treatment of diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's. But Zerhouni's review of the status of work supported by the NIH also shows that initial reports of more than 70 stem cell lines eligible for research were optimistic. Donald Kennedy, editor in chief of the journal, contends in an accompanying editorial that development of new cell lines for research is necessary. "It is plainly not sound policy to retain the current restrictions on work' with human embryonic stem cells, he said. Stem cells form very early in an embryo's development. They can develop into numerous types of cells to form organs and other parts of the body. Researchers hope to use them to repair damaged organs and cure diseases. But the work is controversial because the cells are taken from days- old embryos, which then die. Opponents say this is unethical. Sources of cells are excess embryos from fertility clinics. The American Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reported Thursday that there are 396,526 frozen embryos in storage in the United States and that 88 percent are planned for use in helping families have children in the future. Obtaining stem cells for research has led to studies into the potential of cloning embryos, a process also criticized by opponents. The president has ordered that stem cell research can continue but scientists receiving federal funds can use only cell lines that were available on Aug. 9, 2001. The Health and Human Services Department reported at the time that more than 70 cell lines continuously propagating cell colonies were available. But Zerhouni says in his paper that many of those cell lines were in the early stages of development and were not to the point where they could be distributed for use. To overcome this, he reports, the NIH provided grants to bring the cell lines to the point where they can be used. Kennedy contends that new lines are needed for research because all current ones were developed in the presence of mouse cells that provided needed growth factors, and thus may be contaminated with viruses or proteins from those cells. New techniques make it possible to grow them without the mouse cells, Kennedy said. On the Net: http://www.sciencemag.org SOURCE: The Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21474~1379109,00.html Reference: The State of Stem Cells http://www.sciencemag.org/content/current/ The State of Stem Cells The 9 May 2003 issue of Science features three articles illuminating the current debate on human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In an Editorial, Science Editor-in-Chief Donald Kennedy argues that retaining the current restriction on ESCs is "plainly not sound policy." A Policy Forum piece by National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni reviews the NIH's initiatives and research agenda on stem cells. And a Perspective explores the research questions underlying the issue of setting standards for evaluating ESCs. Editorial: Stem Cells -- Still Here, Still Waiting Donald Kennedy Science 300, 865 (2003) Policy Forum: Stem Cell Programs Elias Zerhouni Science 300, 911 (2003) Perspective: Setting Standards for Human Embryonic Stem Cells Ali H. Brivanlou, Fred H. Gage, Rudolf Jaenisch, Thomas Jessell, Douglas Melton, Janet Rossant Science 300, 913 (2003) SOURCE: The American Association for the Advancement of Science. * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn