Stem cells not specific part of Life Science panel's plans
By BOB WATSON
News Tribune
Missouri's new Life Science Research Board has no immediate plans to tackle the stem cells issue.
The seven-member group met for the first time last week and the issue never was mentioned, even though the discussion concentrated on ways to expand life sciences research in the state and many people believe stem cells research will be a key part of that future.
The Stowers Institute in Kansas City -- a key supporter of stem cells research -- often was mentioned as a key player in the public-private partnerships the board wants to promote.
"There's no question it's a critical technology," said Mike Mills, deputy director of the state Economic Development Department, who will serve as a liaison with the board. "When you look at life sciences, you have plants, animals and human.
"And stem cells are an important portion but -- really, in overall funding and financing as well as the research focus -- is a smaller portion of human health."
The Life Science Research Board was created by a 2004 state law, which also gives the panel control over a new fund.
Money for that fund is to come each year from 25 percent of Missouri's share, that year, of the National Tobacco Settlement.
"The statute explicitly prohibits the spending from this trust fund on cloning," Mills said. "So, that takes part of the debate off the backs of this committee."
Roger Mitchell, the retired dean of the University of Missouri-Columbia's School of Agriculture, chairs the new Life Science Research Board.
"Right at the moment, I see the life sciences so comprehensively that anything you or I would select as an example would only be that -- it would just be some possible portion," Mitchell said. "It is so broad."
While a citizens group seeks signatures for its petition to place an amendment protecting stem cells research into the state Constitution, lawmakers may -- or may not -- debate their own measures to support or limit the controversial parts of the research.
The controversy revolves around "somatic cell nuclear transfer" -- also called "therapeutic cloning" -- which involves replacing the nucleus of an egg with the nucleus from something else, such as a skin or nerve cell. The altered egg then is stimulated to grow in a lab dish, and the resulting stem cells are removed by researchers.
Some opponents argue that process creates then destroys life and is just as wrong as abortion.
"We can't pass judgment, nor will this group provide a policy recommendation to the voters or to the Legislature," Mills said last week, "but we'll operate under what the Legislature and the voters give us to operate under."
The Associated Press contributed information used in this story.
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