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Jeff Nesmith - Cox Washington Bureau Friday, August 20, 1999 Washington -- The federal government should fund research on human embryonic stem cells but, because of "public anxiety" surrounding the subject, should avoid financing the actual collection of the cells, a committee of scientists, lawyers and ethicists said Thursday. Human stem cell research, which some biologists say could lead to cures for some of humanity's most fearsome diseases, is nonetheless controversial because it begins with cells "harvested" from aborted fetuses or discarded human embryos. "The science leading to the understanding of human stem cell biology is about to enter a phase of research and development that could lead to unprecedented cures" for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and diseases of the nervous system, the committee said in a preliminary report. Embryonic stem cells are primitive cells that have not yet become specialized. They are the precursors of many different kinds of tissue, such as skin, muscle, nerve and bone. The report, released by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Institute for Civil Society, was virtually identical to previous recommendations that federal funds be used for stem cell research but not to finance the collection of the cells on which the research is done. The two organizations will sponsor a public meeting Wednesday to discuss the implications of stem cell research. By manipulating the cells, scientists are learning how to clone "designer" cells and tissues, an ability that many experts believe will lead to the discovery of entirely new classes of drugs and other cures. However, since stem cells are grown from cells taken from electively aborted fetuses or embryos discarded by reproduction clinics, critics fear the emerging science will lead to cloning, abuse of human research subjects, commerce in human life and a host of other problems. A National Bioethics Advisory Commission created by President Clinton has called for federal funding of research using human stem cells, so long as no government money is used in the actual collection of the cells. "We believe that this approach will allow publicly funded researchers to move more quickly toward discoveries that will lead to alleviating the suffering caused by human disease" stated the report that was issued Thursday. "We understand that there are many individuals who believe that any use of human embryos other than for achieving a pregnancy (is) unethical, believing that the human embryo is a full human being from the earliest moments of the conception process." The committee said research could go ahead while such issues are being discussed.