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CZECHOSLOVAKIA: First Stem-Cell Research Bill On Tap Proposal would create set of guidelines for embryo studies By Filipa Sebova - For the Post (October 7, 2004) The controversial topic of research involving stem cells from human embryos has hit the nation. With an eye on creating a legal framework to regulate research on human embryos and the harvesting of human embryonic stem cells, Education Minister Petra Buzkova recently submitted the country's first stem-cell legislation. Stem cells are able to turn into other cells or tissues. Because of this trait, scientists are convinced they offer a revolutionary means of treating various diseases and repairing damaged tissues by replacing the ill cells. Long-term research is still needed to find out the exact mechanism of this transformation, however. "I believe that medical science will in a few years succeed in proving that stem cells ... can be successfully used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, hepatic disorders, Parkinson's disease or cerebral stroke," said the chairman of the Czech Gynaecological-Obstetrical Society, Vit Unzeitig. Although there is no legislation in the country regarding stem-cell research, there already are groups here, such as the Institute of Experimental Medicine (IEM) of the Academy of Sciences, examining human embryonic stem cells, according to Vladimir Viklicky, chairman of the Bioethical Commission of the Governmental Council for Research and Development. "They take advantage of the [legislative] vacuum. Somehow they obtain embryos and they perform research on them," said Viklicky, who for more than three years has been working on legislative norms of stem-cell research. The scientists from IEM have even managed to establish embryonic stem-cell lines, or a group of identical cells that originated from one cell. This progress is all the more reason, Viklicky said, that establishing a law to govern all aspects of stem-cell research is essential. Because in the United States publicly funded research is regulated while research funded by the private sector is not, that country has seen a maelstrom of controversy over research on human embryos and the derivation of human embryonic stem cells. The Education Ministry's proposal is a first step toward creating laws that would govern the practice, spelling out exactly what is and what is not OK. Research opposition Even here, however, stem-cell research is not without controversy. The Christian Democratic Union (KDU-CSL), a party in the governing coalition, wiped the proposed draft off the table during discussions in Cabinet. KDU-CSL Deputy Jan Kasal is among those who, for ethical reasons, oppose the legislation and this type of research. "It is very disgusting to experiment on human embryos," Kasal said. "For me, the frozen or unfrozen embryo has the same value." Researching on human embryos, harvested sometimes just 15 hours to seven days after insemination, brings up many ethical questions worldwide. For many critics, it begs the question of when human life begins. For Kasal, it is in the moment of fertilization. Dr. Petr Hach -- of the Institute for Histology and Embryology, and a member of the Health Ministry's Central Ethical Committee -- feels the same. "A human being is killed here, just for the sake of using its cells for someone else." Hach compares it to "hanging a person to get a heart for transplantation." But Buzkova's proposed stem-cell legislation carefully spells out, however, that only embryos gained via fertility treatments that are damaged or that would be otherwise discarded can be used for scientific purposes. Also, both parents have to give permission. The proposal would establish a commission that would permit institutes to work with embryonic stem cells; no other bodies would be permitted to engage in such research. According to the draft, scientists may not create human embryos specifically to harvest stem cells for research or use stem cells to clone humans. The draft legislation also prescribes penalties, including prison time, for those who break its guidelines. In the EU, each country may decide whether to authorize embryo research. The European Commission only obligates countries to respect two conditions: First, a country must ensure adequate protection for the embryo by adopting legislation fixing the conditions and limits of such research. Second, the country must prohibit the creation of human embryos for research purposes. Viklicky said the way EU members handle stem-cell research "very often matches the religion in particular countries." Among the EU states most open to stem-cell research is the UK, where scientists recently gained the first license within Europe to clone human embryos to extract stem cells. Possible cures So far, Czech scientists have used stem cells in treating patients recovering from heart attacks. For such patients, stem cells from bone marrow are used. "We have treated eight patients with this method -- worldwide there are around 300 of them. All our patients seem to show improvement," said Dr. Stanislav Simek from the cardiology clinic at the Karlovo namesti hospital. According to Simek, who first used stem cells to treat a heart-attack victim nearly a year ago, not enough research has been done in this area for him to gauge its effect. Many scientists believe embryonic stem-cell research might open a brave new world of possible cures for illnesses such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer or heart disease. According to a statement from the European Commission on stem- cell research, it can be used also to enable gene therapy. Proponents say the culturing of human stem cells offers insights that cannot be studied directly on the human embryo or understood though the use of animal models. For instance, basic research on stem cells could help to understand the causes of birth defects, infertility and miscarriages. Furthermore, such research could give a better understanding of normal and abnormal human development. For Hach, who is against embryonic stem-cell use, it is more about a "Columbus complex," meaning a race to be first. He said research that is grounded in morality is more important than pushing the boundaries of what might technically be possible. Nevertheless, he admits: "A law that would prevent excesses and would limit the field of research is better than nothing." The government will discuss the proposal again later this month. THE KEY ISSUES • Where to get embryos: Only residual embryos from fertility treatments can be used • Future use of stem cells: Could be used for scientific experiments and treatments for diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and heart disease • EU legislation: It is up to each country to decide whether to authorize embryo research Source: European Commission SOURCE: The Prague Post http://www.praguepost.com/P03/2004/Art/1007/news2.php * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn