OMAHA, Neb.—Groups opposed to embryonic stem-cell research want the University of Nebraska to revisit the issue now that new federal funding rules are final.
The Board of Regents’ current policy requires researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to follow federal guidelines for stem-cell research.
The new government rules will allow research using cells culled from leftover fertility clinic embryos—ones that otherwise would be thrown away.
Researchers study embryonic stem cells—master cells that can morph into any cell of the body—in hopes of developing cures to diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s or maybe even Alzheimer’s. Researchers have come under fire because isolating the cells destroys embryos. Opponents of the research believe embryos are the starting point of human life and that destroying them is immoral.
Federal law forbids using taxpayer money to create or destroy an embryo. But there are now roughly 700 stem cell lines around the world, some of which were created from embryos using private money.
The Bush administration’s stem-cell rules had limited taxpayer-funded research to a small number of stem-cell batches, or lines, already in existence as of August 2001. President Barack Obama lifted that restriction this spring, and the new rules issued Monday spell out when federal money can be used for research with newer stem-cell lines.
So the new federal rules may serve to widen the field of stem-cell research.
Two groups that oppose embryonic stem-cell research—the Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research and Nebraska Right to Life—want the regents to maintain strict limits on the research. The groups have been pressing the board to adopt a policy similar to the limitations Bush established.
Chip Maxwell, executive director of the Coalition for Ethical Research, said he wants Nebraska officials to have the final say on research at UNMC, so the new federal rules won’t dictate which stem cells can be used.
“We certainly do not want our state medical school engaging in research that will increase demand for destruction of embryos,” Maxwell said late Monday.
Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, said the regents should call a special meeting to discuss stem-cell research so the issue isn’t further delayed. She said she hopes the regents can revise the rules before UNMC scientists start applying for grants, because that could complicate the process.
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