Lifting of bars on stem cells sought

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA
Lifting of bars on stem cells sought
Article Published: Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 8:27:19 PM PST

Medicine: Scientists say only 11 lines, not 70, are available for
research.
By Randolph E. Schmid, Associated Press

WASHINGTON Only 11 human stem cell lines are available for research,
far fewer than originally estimated, the director of the National
Institutes of Health reports.

The finding led to a call for lifting the restriction that President
Bush placed on stem cell research.

NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, writing in today's edition of the
journal Science, says his agency is giving a high priority to
research using stem cells because of the potential for treatment of
diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's.

But Zerhouni's review of the status of work supported by the NIH also
shows that initial reports of more than 70 stem cell lines eligible
for research were optimistic.

Donald Kennedy, editor in chief of the journal, contends in an
accompanying editorial that development of new cell lines for
research is necessary. "It is plainly not sound policy to retain the
current restrictions on work' with human embryonic stem cells, he
said.

Stem cells form very early in an embryo's development. They can
develop into numerous types of cells to form organs and other parts
of the body. Researchers hope to use them to repair damaged organs
and cure diseases.

But the work is controversial because the cells are taken from days-
old embryos, which then die. Opponents say this is unethical.

Sources of cells are excess embryos from fertility clinics. The
American Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reported
Thursday that there are 396,526 frozen embryos in storage in the
United States and that 88 percent are planned for use in helping
families have children in the future.

Obtaining stem cells for research has led to studies into the
potential of cloning embryos, a process also criticized by opponents.


The president has ordered that stem cell research can continue but
scientists receiving federal funds can use only cell lines that were
available on Aug. 9, 2001. The Health and Human Services Department
reported at the time that more than 70 cell lines continuously
propagating cell colonies were available.

But Zerhouni says in his paper that many of those cell lines were in
the early stages of development and were not to the point where they
could be distributed for use. To overcome this, he reports, the NIH
provided grants to bring the cell lines to the point where they can
be used.

Kennedy contends that new lines are needed for research because all
current ones were developed in the presence of mouse cells that
provided needed growth factors, and thus may be contaminated with
viruses or proteins from those cells. New techniques make it possible
to grow them without the mouse cells, Kennedy said.

On the Net:


SOURCE: The Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA


Reference:

The State of Stem Cells


The State of Stem Cells
The 9 May 2003 issue of Science features three articles illuminating
the current debate on human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In an
Editorial, Science Editor-in-Chief Donald Kennedy argues that
retaining the current restriction on ESCs is "plainly not sound
policy." A Policy Forum piece by National Institutes of Health
Director Elias Zerhouni reviews the NIH's initiatives and research
agenda on stem cells. And a Perspective explores the research
questions underlying the issue of setting standards for evaluating
ESCs.

Editorial: Stem Cells -- Still Here, Still Waiting
Donald Kennedy
Science 300, 865 (2003)

Policy Forum: Stem Cell Programs
Elias Zerhouni
Science 300, 911 (2003)

Perspective: Setting Standards for Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Ali H. Brivanlou, Fred H. Gage, Rudolf Jaenisch, Thomas Jessell,
Douglas Melton, Janet Rossant
Science 300, 913 (2003)

SOURCE: The American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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