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From:News Observer (N. Carolina) Jan. 10, 2007 Atala: Embryonic stem cell studies should continue By Catherine Clabby, Staff Writer A Wake Forest researcher who discovered stem cells in amniotic fluid has entered the fray in Congress over funding for research using controversial embryonic stem cells. Dr. Antony Atala, whose discovery of promising amniotic stem cells was published Sunday in the journal Nature Biology, says his work involving the alternative source of stem cells should not derail funding and research into embryonic stem cells. "It is essential that National Institute of Health-funded researchers are able to fully pursue embryonic stem cells research as a complement to research into other forms of stem cells," Atala wrote in a Jan. 8 letter to two U.S. House members. Debate over the issue was reignited after Democrats took control of Congress. A House bill could be voted on Thursday. It's not certain whether the measures will pass with enough votes to prevent a veto from President Bush, who opposes expanding embryonic stem cell studies because it requires the destruction of early stage human embryos. In a Jan. 8 letter to the bill's sponsors -- U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and Michael Castle, R-Del. -- Atala said some people are interpreting his discovery as a substitute for embryonic stem cells. That is not correct, Atala said. "It is very possible that research involving embryonic stem cells will have critical implications for advancing research into amniotic fluid stem cells," the doctor-researcher wrote. The Vatican is among groups opposing embryonic stem cell research, and it has hailed Atala's finding as a possible alternative. Today, U.S. bishops urged the House of Representatives to reject funding more embryonic stem cell studies. They called instead for greater support of more "promising and morally acceptable research" using stem cells from adult tissue and birth by-products such as cord blood, amniotic fluid and placentas. Staff writer Catherine Clabby can be reached at 956-2414 or [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn