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In reply to Maryse's posting about U.S. funding of stem cell research: First of all - the good news! From NIH: Stem cell basics http://stemcells.nih.gov/infoCenter/stemCellBasics.asp The following section is highlighted: Stem Cells for the Future Treatment of Parkinson's Disease "Parkinson's disease (PD) is a very common neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 2% of the population over 65 years of age. PD is caused by a progressive degeneration and loss of dopamine (DA)-producing neurons, which leads to tremor, rigidity, and hypokinesia (abnormally decreased mobility). ***It is thought that PD may be the first disease to be amenable to treatment using stem cell transplantation. Factors that support this notion include the knowledge of the specific cell type (DA neurons) needed to relieve the symptoms of the disease. In addition, several laboratories have been successful in developing methods to induce embryonic stem cells to differentiate into cells with many of the functions of DA neurons. In a recent study, scientists directed mouse embryonic stem cells to differentiate into DA neurons by introducing the gene Nurr1. When transplanted into the brains of a rat model of PD, these stem cell-derived DA neurons reinnervated the brains of the rat Parkinson model, released dopamine and improved motor function. Regarding human stem cell therapy, scientists are developing a number of strategies for producing dopamine neurons from human stem cells in the laboratory for transplantation into humans with Parkinson's disease. The successful generation of an unlimited supply of dopamine neurons could make neurotransplantation widely available for Parkinson's patients at some point in the future." ------------------------------------------- In answer to Maryse's question: > > I may be wrong but I don't think the government is forbidding use > of stem cells, it is just not funding research.>> You're right - for the present time, but "just not funding research" is a complicated issue, and many scientists believe current federal policies are slowing the research progress. In August 9, 2001, President Bush issued his decision on stem cell research. He authorized federal funding of stem cell research that utilizes only existing stem cell lines that were derived before August 9, 2001. To receive Federal funding for research on these lines " 1) there must have been informed consent of the donors, 2) the embryos must have been created for reproductive purposes (from IVF) and in excess of clinical need, 3) there must not have been any financial inducements to the donors, 4) the embryos must not have been created for research purposes." Bush stated in August 2001 that there were 78 lines available for research under these policies. However scientists working in the field report that of the 78 identified lines only 15 are actually available to researchers, and all of those 15 lines are contaminated with mouse feeder cells, making their therapeutic use for humans uncertain. ------------------------------------------------ There are currently bills in Congress, and in a number of state legislatures that would prohibit and criminalize stem cell research utlizing SCNT (or therapeutic cloning) Instead of obtaining stem cells from excess embryos produced during in vitro fertilization treatments, as described above, SCNT involves removing the nucleus of an UNFERTILIZED donor egg cell and replacing it with DNA from the nucleus of a "somatic cell" (such as nerve cell, skin cell etc.) The cell is stimulated to begin dividing, and after 5-6 days stem cells can be extracted for research purposes. This is not reproductive cloning - these egg cells are NOT transplanted in the womb to develop into a baby. Federal Legislation: House of Representatives: On Feb. 27, 2003 The House of Representative passed H.R. 534—Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 by a vote of 241 to 155 . H.R. 534 , introduced by Representative Dave Weldon (R-FL) , would prohibit both reproductive and therapeutic cloning, and includes a criminal penalty of up to 10 years for violation of the provisions of the bill. If a similar bill is passed by the Senate, Pres. Bush has said he would sign it into law. Bills Pending in the Senate: S. 245—Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 On January 29, 2003, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduced S. 245, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003. The bill would prohibit both therapeutic and reproductive cloning, and is similar to H.R. 534 The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. S. 303—Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003 (Hatch-Feinstein-Specter-Kennedy-Miller bill) "On February 5, 2003, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced S. 303, the Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2003. The bill would prohibit reproductive cloning but would specifically permit therapeutic cloning, as long as certain ethical requirements are met." The bill is currently in the Judiciary Committee. In absense of federal law,a number of state legislatures have similar competing bills pending, and some states have passed laws permitting stem cell and SCNT research under specific guidelines (California and New Jersey) , while other states have introduced or passed laws banning and criminalizing the research. Sources: NIH Stem Cell Information web site. http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research web site www.camradvocacy.org Linda Herman ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn