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Published Wednesday March 9, 2005 Stem cell expert makes case BY NICHOLE AKSAMIT WORLD-HERALD BUREAU LINCOLN - As one legislative committee prepared to hear testimony on three research-related bills, an internationally known adult stem cell researcher advised state senators and scientists not to prohibit embryonic stem cell research in Nebraska. Dr. Catherine Verfaillie - a native Belgian, lifelong Catholic and director of the Stem Cell Institute at the University of Minnesota - briefed senators and reporters at the Capitol Tuesday. She later gave a scientific lecture for researchers and others at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Her message was the same for all: Both adult and embryonic stem cell research have the potential to lead to treatments for human health conditions. And, because neither is likely to be a slam-dunk for all ailments, both should be pursued. Verfaillie led a 2002 study that suggested certain adult stem cells may have flexibility similar to embryonic stem cells. Some who oppose research that involves the destruction of embryos have cited that study as a reason to ban embryonic stem cell research and focus efforts on nonembryonic stem cells. Verfaillie, however, said she firmly believes both kinds of research are needed. The institute in Minnesota conducts research with both kinds of stem cells in adjacent labs with different funding sources. She said insights gleaned from one type of research advance the other. And the institute is doing head-to-head comparisons to understand which is the better cell - embryonic or adult - when it comes to treating particular diseases. She said that, although embryonic stem cells have the potential to create all cell types, adult stem cells have limitations. They are more difficult to isolate in older people - so the prospect of using your own stem cells to heal yourself diminishes with age. And, although adult stem cells from bone-marrow transplants have been successful in creating new blood cells in cancer patients, Verfaillie said scientists still have "a very difficult time" making heart muscle or other cells from adult stem cells. "It is most likely that five or 10 years from now if you want to treat disease A, embryonic stem cells will be better. But if you want to treat disease B, adult stem cells will be better," Verfaillie said. "That's why I think it's important that all universities have both kinds of research." Chip Maxwell, executive director of the Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research, said Verfaillie's arguments still don't address his group's concern: human embryos destroyed in the name of science. "No matter how much promise or potential she can stack up," he said, "in our view, you're destroying human beings to get that." Verfaillie's advice came two days before three bills related to stem cell research were to be heard by the Judiciary Committee: LB 437, introduced by Sen. Adrian Smith of Gering, would ban the creation of human clones and the creation of embryonic stem cell lines through somatic cell nuclear transfer. LB 750, introduced by Sen. Mike Foley of Lincoln, would ban the use of state funds for nontherapeutic research that destroys a human embryo - effectively banning creation of embryonic stem cell lines. LB 580, introduced by Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney, would ban human reproductive cloning but allow somatic cell nuclear transfer to create embryonic stem cell lines. All three are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. hearings on Thursday, also the annual lobby day at the Legislature for groups of abortion opponents. "I grew up Catholic and am Catholic," said Verfaillie, who plans to leave Minnesota to establish a similar stem cell institute at Catholic University Leuven in Belgium. She said she draws the line at human reproductive cloning - the creation of human clones - but supports the creation of stem cell lines from leftover embryos at fertilization clinics. "Those have been created and will go to waste," she said. "If not used for research, they will either die a slow death in the freezer or be destroyed because the family doesn't want more children." If embryonic stem cell research is banned in Nebraska, Nebraskans probably could still benefit from any health advances that come from such research - which is being and will be conducted elsewhere. But Verfaillie said the state stands to lose researchers and the economic development that comes with research. Sanford Goodman of Nebraskans for Research - a group that supports embryonic stem cell research - said a ban also would undermine the quality of medical education that future Nebraska students will receive. "This is the future of medicine," he said. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn