Bush favors some stem cell research.After fierce lobbying from scientists and celebrities such as Christopher Reeve, as well as by conservatives and religious leaders including the Pope, President Bush last week announced his long-awaited policy on embryonic stem cell Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early stage embryo known as a blastocyst. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50-150 cells. ES cells are pluripotent. research. In a carefully worded compromise, he said he would support work on stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young that already had been propagated from embryos otherwise fated for disposal in fertility clinics. However, the President said he opposes financing the destruction of additional embryos to create new cell lines. "I have concluded that we should allow federal funds Federal Funds Funds deposited to regional Federal Reserve Banks by commercial banks, including funds in excess of reserve requirements. Notes: These non-interest bearing deposits are lent out at the Fed funds rate to other banks unable to meet overnight reserve to be used for research on these existing stem cell lines, where the life-and-death decision has already been made," Bush said in a nationally televised address. More than 60 such cell lines exist, he said. During the speech, Bush also announced the creation of a panel, headed by a bioethicist, to oversee such research. The President disappointed some of his backers who say he broke a pledge not to fund any research on the stem cells, but he was apparently swayed by the cells' medical potential. Scientists say that transplants of the cells, which can develop into any type of tissue, may treat conditions ranging from Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. to spinal cord injuries (SN: 7/19/97, p. 36) to diabetes. Bush's decision to permit some federal funding in this area delighted many scientists. "We have some clear green lights for a limited beginning of embryonic stem cell research," says Robert R. Rich, president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, or FASEB, is a non-profit federation of 21 societies for biomedical research in the United States. Its mission statement is "to advance biological science through collaborative advocacy for research policies that in Bethesda, Md. Still, because of concern about the limits set by the President, the new policy brought a mixed reaction from biologists. "It's better than nothing," biologist Lee M. Silver of Princeton University told CNN CNN or Cable News Network Subsidiary company of Turner Broadcasting Systems. It was created by Ted Turner in 1980 to present 24-hour live news broadcasts, using satellites to transmit reports from news bureaus around the world. . But given the restrictions, he added, "it's like doing science with one hand tied behind your back." Some biologists doubt whether as many as 60 suitable cell lines already exist and whether these lines contain enough genetic variability to satisfy research demands. The inability to derive new cell lines may also hamper work on therapeutic cloning, a strategy in which physicians would use a patient's DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. to create embryonic stem cells matched to that person. Such cells could be transplanted into the patient without any risk of rejection. Rich also cautions that many existing stem cell lines may be controlled by companies. "We would prefer to derive new stem cells that don't have commercial strings attached," he says. The stem cell debate now moves to Congress. A report by the National Academies of Science on the biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. promise of all forms of stem cells is due out soon. |
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