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MASSACHUSETTS: Stem Cell Legislation In Works For Mass. By Jennifer Fenn - Eagle Boston Bureau SOURCE: The Berkshire Eagle, MA WWWeb: http://tinyurl.com/6bbaw Article Published: Monday, November 22, 2004 - 2:15:32 AM EST BOSTON -- A controversial issue that played out on the presidential campaign trail this year is expected to take center stage in Massachusetts in the coming months when the Legislature debates the pros and cons of stem cell research. Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham, the chairman of the House Health Care Committee, plans to file legislation next month that authorizes embryonic stem cell research in the state but bans reproductive cloning and does not provide any financial support for the effort. "Every piece of scientific evidence suggests that this is the best hope to cure so much disease and heal so much trauma," Koutoujian said. The legislation is necessary, supporters say, because the current law defining an embryo is vague and arguably prohibits the research in the state even though a handful of companies and academic institutions in Massachusetts already are conducting stem cell research. Develop therapies Stem cells are tiny, undifferentiated cells found in human em-bryos, the blood from newborns' umbilical cords, and some adult tissues. They have the unique ability to develop into human body tissue such as muscle, organs or nerves. Scientists and researchers are developing therapies using stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged tissue and organs -- such as spinal cords severed in accidents, causing paralysis. Scientists say it could lead to the treatment of such conditions as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. At a time when California is investing $3 billion in stem cell research, supporters say Massachusetts must make an attempt to keep the business here. Passing legislation endorsing stem cell research is a start, said Stephen Mulloney, director of policy and public affairs for the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Mulloney said two for-profit companies and a few academic institutions such as Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital are among those conducting research. "Our science is very strong and stacks up favorably against any centers in the world, but we want to maintain our competitive edge,'' Mulloney said. "I think we can do that by passing positive support language. That sends a message that Massachusetts is open for business. People kind of look for, and are influenced by, symbolic gestures." The council supports the cloning of human cells, genes and tissues for the purpose of medical research and for treatments of diseases and spinal cord injuries. However, the council opposes the use of cloning technology for the purposes of initiating and bringing to term a human pregnancy. In the past year, the state Senate made two failed attempts to endorse embryonic stem cell research. Although Senate President Robert Travaglini, D-East Boston, welcomes the research, former House Speaker Thomas Finneran, D-Mattapan, balked. Finneran has since changed his position and is now the president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. His high-profile appointment to the council and his decision to resign from the Legislature has given new life to the legislation. And House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, D-Boston, said last week that he endorses the research. Other lawmakers are eager to take up the issue. 'Very supportive' "Conceptually, I'm very supportive of it," said Rep. William "Smitty'' Pignatelli, D-Lenox. "If the technology and science is there to cure some of the terrible diseases, we owe it to people [to give them a chance] to lead as healthy a life as possible." However, despite the potential health and economic benefits, lawmakers say it could be a while before the Legislature acts on stem cell legislation. There are critics who say it's wrong to destroy embryos that have been grown in the course of fertility treatments for scientific research because they could be developed into fetuses. Anti-abortion groups such as the Massachusetts Citizens for Life oppose stem cell research, for example. Rep. William Greene, D-Billerica, said he supports stem cell research but only using mature cells. Greene will not support legislation that endorses the use of embryonic stem cells, because it involves creating, then destroying, life, he said. "It's a real tough one,'' Greene said. "It can do so much good if they can make it work, but it's a very pressing moral issue as to where we're going." Many lawmakers also want to make sure there are safeguards in place to prevent human cloning. "There is a moral issue, so the legislation has got to be clear, concise and direct and prove it's not going to lead to human cloning,'' Pignatelli said. But it's also a complicated issue that may require time for lawmakers to get up to speed. Several legislators say they've started reading up on it in anticipation of a debate next session. Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, said he's eager to hear both sides of the issue and to get more information about it. "I really want to take a look at it,'' he said. "My inclination is that, in some form or another, it should happen, but we all need to do some research. It's important for us to become more educated on it." SOURCE: The Berkshire Eagle, MA WWWeb: http://tinyurl.com/6bbaw * * * Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Please place this address in your address book Please purge all others Web site: Parkinsons Resources on the WWWeb http://www.geocities.com/murraycharters ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn