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# 303 Wednesday, March 7, 2007 - RETURN TO THE DARK AGES? Nebraska Stem Cell Research Under Attack Yesterday I had a conversation with a friend in Nebraska (I forgot to ask permission to use her name, so I won't)-and there was shocking bad news. The great state of Nebraska is considering a return to the days when medical science was an actual crime. Five years in jail for SCNT. Naturally I did a quick web search, located the following URL with info, went there and posted a comment-it would be great if you were to do the same-a quick five minutes would do a favor to a state in need. Here is some background, from an article in the Journal Star, by Timberly Ross, March 4, 2007 http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/03/04/news/politics/doc45eb518601798490554508.txt OMAHA, Neb. - A state ban on all human cloning would give Nebraska a "black eye" and harm some of its research institutions, contends one of the state's leading stem cell experts. "If it happens here, it won't be good for us," said Dr. David Crouse, an administrator and professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His comments come as the state Legislature considers a bill (LB700) that would ban reproductive cloning and the creation of embryos for stem cell research using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer - more commonly referred to as therapeutic cloning. It would also prohibit the import of cells, embryos and other items produced through the cloning process, including potential treatments. The Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on the bill for Wednesday. Similar bills have been proposed by state lawmakers in the past, but none has made it to a final floor vote. The latest bill, introduced by Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial, was co-signed by a majority of state senators, an indication that passage is likely. Crouse said he isn't opposed to a ban, even a federal one, on reproductive cloning. But, he said, therapeutic cloning is "cutting edge" science that should be allowed to flourish. The proposed cloning ban would make violators guilty of a Class IV felony, which is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both. Then I found a great website, www.nebraskansforresearch.org, a group which is fighting to protect the right to research. Here is a quick summary from their site about this latest attack on stem cell research: Overview of LB 700 LB 700 is a bill in the Nebraska Legislature that purports to ban the cloning of humans. While LB 700 does in fact ban human cloning (called "reproductive cloning"), it also bans a technique known as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT- often called "therapeutic cloning"), which would significantly limit the research potential for cures and treatments of many debilitating diseases. LB 700 criminalizes these activities, classifying them as a felony and imposing harsh penalties, triggering a dulling effect on research in Nebraska. While we respect the views of those who oppose this research, a statewide ban that criminalizes this research will: deny life-affirming hope to countless patients and their families who seek cures for Diabetes, Parkinson's Disease, spinal cord injuries, cancer and other debilitating diseases deny patients and families their right to support this research and obtain life-saving cures demoralize Nebraska researchers and chillingly hinder the University's recruitment of cutting-edge scientists in many research disciplines stigmatize Nebraska as one of only six states that have banned and criminalized this 21st century research, while many other states are aggressively seeking state funding to support this research and are recruiting researchers who conduct it. Therapeutic Cloning or Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) SCNT involves removing the nucleus of an unfertilized egg and replacing it with the nucleus of an adult cell, like a skin, heart, or nerve cell. No sperm is used in the procedure, and the resulting cell could never develop into a human being. The goal of SCNT is to develop stem cells that will not be rejected or destroyed by the patient's immune system. The National Academy of Sciences has stated that SCNT is essential to finding ways to overcome tissue rejection by producing cells that are a genetic match to a patient. There is a difference between reproductive cloning (creating a human being) and therapeutic cloning (obtaining stem cells to develop therapies to help cure diseases). Human reproductive cloning should not be allowed, but we should not limit therapeutic cloning, where the cell cannot develop into a human being. SCNT offers important insight into the development of diseases. Stem cells taken from a person with a genetic disease could be used to study how the disease develops in the earliest stages. A 2005 poll published in Parade magazine showed that 67% of Americans support SCNT, while only 22% oppose. 40 Nobel Laureates have released a letter expressing concern that a ban on all human cloning research would "have a chilling effect on all scientific research in the U.S." SCNT is widely supported in the U.S. by the nation's leading medical scientists, major patient advocacy organizations, the American public, Republicans and Democrats, and religious leaders. LB 700 LB 700 would ban therapeutic cloning for research, which has the potential to save lives by developing new cures and treatments for debilitating diseases. LB 700 would set limits on the type of research that can be performed in Nebraska at a time when the benefits and possibilities of therapeutic cloning could be favorable for the 100 million Americans suffering from cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, ALS, and other devastating conditions. Not only would passage of LB 700 close the door to potential cures and treatments for many diseases, it would also have a negative effect on economic activity by discouraging top scientists and researchers from working in Nebraska. Only five states have passed similar laws, although none are as punitive as LB 700. In fact, two states with less punitive laws-Iowa and Michigan-- are trying rigorously to repeal their laws because of the terrible effects to their research enterprise that have occurred since passage. The other three states that have passed similar laws are North Dakota, South Dakota and Arkansas. Of course I had to do something, so I posted the following comment: LB 700: SCNT Ban is return to Dark Ages As the father of a paralyzed young man, I care deeply about Nebraska's decision on whether or not to support advanced stem cell research. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT, or therapeutic cloning) involves no sperm, no womb, and no possibility of ever creating a child. It is cells, cells, nothing but cells. It offers hope to one day grow nerve cells from my son's own body tissues, and reconnect his damaged spine. SCNT is supported by the American Medical Association, the late President Gerald Ford, more than 500 patient rights and disease advocacy organizations, and the majority of the American people. LB 700, to criminalize SCNT, is a cruel and short-sighted step backwards, a voluntary return to the Dark Ages, when medical research was forbidden by law. Could you squeeze in the time for a quick comment? Here is the URL again, just go there, go to the bottom of the article, and add your comment-you don't even need to put your name, if that is preferable. http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/03/04/news/politics/doc45eb518601798490554508.txt Some good folks in Nebraska are standing up for research-- standing up for us-they should know we appreciate it. Friends in Nebraska, keep us posted! The fight for cure is for everyone. By Don Reed www.stemcellbattles.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn