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US researchers push past stem-cell restrictions
FEATURE
FEATURE
US researchers push past stem-cell restrictions States and private sources fund research denied federal support by Bush ban tem-cell scientists in the USA are growing increasingly frustrated with President George W Bush’s decision to restrict federally funded research to only a few embryonic stem-cell lines. In 2001, Bush forbade the use of US funds for research on any embryonic stem cells created after 2100 h, Eastern Daylight Time, on Aug 9—the day he announced the policy in a televised address to the nation. “Research on embryonic stem cells raises profound ethical questions”, Bush said in the address, “because extracting the stem cell destroys the embryo and thus destroys its potential for life.”
S
opponents of embryonic stem-cell research, but many advocates of the research said the restrictions would hamper investigations that could lead to new treatments for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal-cord injuries, and other incurable conditions. In addition, without federal support, they warned, US biomedical science would soon fall behind that of countries with more liberal policies. Indeed, since the implementation of Bush’s policy, some US researchers have set up collaborations with overseas laboratories, and in some cases have left the country so they can work in a less restrictive climate, says
Science Photo Library
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
Stem-cell research could lead to treatments for Parkinson’s disease and diabetes
Bush said the policy would allow federal funds for research with 60 “genetically diverse” cell lines that had already been created “where the life-and-death decision has already been made”. The policy, he argued, would allow US researchers “to explore the promise and potential of stem-cell research without crossing a fundamental moral line”. The policy was accepted as a reasonable compromise by many
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Michael Manganiello, senior vice president of the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation. “Scientists are interesting folks”, Manganiello says. “These guys just want to work, and I don’t think they really care where they do it. If they can do it in Singapore, if they can do it in England, if they can do it in Israel, South Korea, or Sweden, they’ll go and do it there.” Concerns that US researchers are
falling behind was heightened last month when South Korean scientists made history when they reported they had cloned a human embryonic stem-cell line using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer. In a report published online in the magazine Science (Feb 12), Woo Suk Hwang and Shin Yong Moon of Seoul National University described how their team successfully introduced the nucleus from a human cumulus cell into a human egg and induced the resulting cell to develop into a blastocyst from which they created a line of stem cells (www.sciencemag.org; DOI: 10.1126/science.1094515). Warning that the USA is in danger of losing its leadership position in biotechnology, a bipartisan group in Congress has begun circulating a letter to Bush urging him to review his stem-cell policy. “Scientists are reporting that it is increasingly difficult to attract new scientists to this area of research because of concerns that funding restrictions will keep this research from being successful”, the letter reads. “We would very much like to work with you to modify the current embryonic stem-cell policy so that it provides this area of research the greatest opportunity to lead to the treatments and cures we are all hoping for.” So far 90 members of Congress have signed the letter. But it is unlikely that Republicancontrolled Congress or the White House will act during an election year, especially since any loosening of federal restrictions could raise the ire of anti-abortion voters who are a key part of Bush’s electoral base. “That leaves the debate to the states”, says Manganiello. Currently, about 70 different pieces of legislation are being considered by lawmakers in the 50 states. A few states have passed laws banning all cloning and embryonic stem-cell research, but others are passing bills that are creating what supporters call “safe havens” for embryonic stem-cell researchers In 2002, California, a state with a major biotechnology industry, passed legislation outlawing cloning for reproductive purposes but endorsing human embryonic stem-cell research —including cloning—for therapeutic research. Last year, a signature drive was launched to put a bond measure on the November ballot to raise US$3 billion to fund stem-cell research in the state.
THE LANCET • Vol 363 • March 13, 2004 • www.thelancet.com
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet.
FEATURE
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
AP
If successful, the measure According to James would provide $295 million a Battey, director of the year for 10 years to CaliforniaNIH’s stem-cell task force, based universities, companies, which overseas federally and other research institutions funded embryonic stem-cell for stem-cell research. research, only 15 cell lines Chad Griffin, campaign are currently available, but manager of Californians for there is a good chance that Stem Cell Research and Cures, eight additional cell lines the organisation sponsoring the will prove to be useful. But petition drive, says his group has the number is still too few, until April 16 to gather the say stem-cell research necessary 600 000 signatures. backers, to do the work that To be on the safe side, the needs to be done. petition effort plans to gather David Prentice, a about 900 000 signatures, professor of life sciences at Griffin says, “and we’re on Indiana State University target to meet those goals”. (Terre Haute, IN) and an Last month, New Jersey, opponent of embryonic another state with a large stem-cell research, says that biotechnology industry, passed additional cell lines are legislation making it state policy unnecessary. Prentice, who to “permit the conduct of is a member of the Christian research that involves the Medical and Dental derivation and use of human Association and co-founder embryonic stem cells and of Do No Harm, the Anti-abortion voters are a key part of Bush’s electoral base human adult stem cells from any Coalition of Americans for source, including somatic cell nuclear from the Howard Hughes Medical Ethical Research, argues that adult stem transplantation”. The bill’s supporters Institute, the Juvenile Diabetes Research cells are much more likely to be useful said the legislation was necessary to Foundation, and Harvard University. for therapy than embryonic stem cells. ensure the state remained a leader in The cells are described in a report There has been “an avalanche” of medical research. Plans are also posted on the New England Journal of studies in recent years that show that underway to raise $50 million in Medicine’s web site on March 3 adult stem cells from marrow and other government and private funds to (www.nejm.org; DOI: 10.1056/ tissues have the “surprising ability to support embryonic stem-cell research in NEJMsr040330). either change into other tissue or at the state. least stimulate tissue regeneration”, he The New Jersey legislation, which says. “the future is incredibly bright passed by a narrow margin, has been “I would say adult stem cells and . . . All it takes is one clinical bitterly denounced by opponents of the cord blood stem cells are the most success and all this policy stuff research. A spokesperson for the US promising in terms of clinical will just melt away” Conference of Catholic Bishops called it treatments”, Prentice says. “the most extreme, inhumane But Leonard Zon, professor of pro-cloning legislation in the country”, In an editorial accompanying the pediatrics at Harvard Medical School which was “designed to encourage report, the journal’s Editor-in-Chief (Boston, MA) and president of the government-sanctioned ‘human fetus Jeffrey Drazen and Deputy Editor International Society for Stem Cell farms’”. Elizabeth Phimester called for the Research, says that although initial Manganiello says that if stem-cell federal government to add these to the research with adult stem cells was research can gain a foothold in a few cell lines already sanctioned by the Bush promising, it now seems that the more states that have major research policy. versatile embryonic stem cells will be institutions, stem-cell research could “There is too much suffering that needed to develop effective treatments. take off in the USA. “If we can get may be remediable through the Zon says that the restrictions placed California and New Jersey, which we therapeutic application of this new on stem-cell research has made US have, and Massachusetts and New approach to place the new cell lines off scientists “very, very frustrated”, but he York, we’re good to go.” limits to many North American research feels research will progress in the USA Universities and private research scientists”, they wrote. despite the lack of federal funding—with institutions are also striking out on their At one point it was thought that as private philanthropy stepping in to own. A research group at Harvard many as 78 stem-cell lines, created provide the needed support. He also University announced last week that it before the 2001 cut-off established by predicts that as progress is made had produced 17 new embryonic the Bush policy, would be eligible for political opposition will slacken. stem-cell lines that will be made federal funding. But it turned out that “I think the future is incredibly available to researchers for free. The many of these could not be used for bright”, he says. “All it takes is one project was led by Douglas Melton, a research purposes—because they failed clinical success and all this policy stuff father of two children with diabetes and to grow, or belonged to private will just melt away.” and outspoken proponent of stem-cell companies that have not made them Michael McCarthy research, and was supported with funds available to researchers.
THE LANCET • Vol 363 • March 13, 2004 • www.thelancet.com
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet.
869
FEATURE
US researchers push past stem-cell restrictions States and private sources fund research denied federal support by Bush ban tem-cell scientists in the USA are growing increasingly frustrated with President George W Bush’s decision to restrict federally funded research to only a few embryonic stem-cell lines. In 2001, Bush forbade the use of US funds for research on any embryonic stem cells created after 2100 h, Eastern Daylight Time, on Aug 9—the day he announced the policy in a televised address to the nation. “Research on embryonic stem cells raises profound ethical questions”, Bush said in the address, “because extracting the stem cell destroys the embryo and thus destroys its potential for life.”
S
opponents of embryonic stem-cell research, but many advocates of the research said the restrictions would hamper investigations that could lead to new treatments for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, spinal-cord injuries, and other incurable conditions. In addition, without federal support, they warned, US biomedical science would soon fall behind that of countries with more liberal policies. Indeed, since the implementation of Bush’s policy, some US researchers have set up collaborations with overseas laboratories, and in some cases have left the country so they can work in a less restrictive climate, says
Science Photo Library
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
Stem-cell research could lead to treatments for Parkinson’s disease and diabetes
Bush said the policy would allow federal funds for research with 60 “genetically diverse” cell lines that had already been created “where the life-and-death decision has already been made”. The policy, he argued, would allow US researchers “to explore the promise and potential of stem-cell research without crossing a fundamental moral line”. The policy was accepted as a reasonable compromise by many
868
Michael Manganiello, senior vice president of the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation. “Scientists are interesting folks”, Manganiello says. “These guys just want to work, and I don’t think they really care where they do it. If they can do it in Singapore, if they can do it in England, if they can do it in Israel, South Korea, or Sweden, they’ll go and do it there.” Concerns that US researchers are
falling behind was heightened last month when South Korean scientists made history when they reported they had cloned a human embryonic stem-cell line using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer. In a report published online in the magazine Science (Feb 12), Woo Suk Hwang and Shin Yong Moon of Seoul National University described how their team successfully introduced the nucleus from a human cumulus cell into a human egg and induced the resulting cell to develop into a blastocyst from which they created a line of stem cells (www.sciencemag.org; DOI: 10.1126/science.1094515). Warning that the USA is in danger of losing its leadership position in biotechnology, a bipartisan group in Congress has begun circulating a letter to Bush urging him to review his stem-cell policy. “Scientists are reporting that it is increasingly difficult to attract new scientists to this area of research because of concerns that funding restrictions will keep this research from being successful”, the letter reads. “We would very much like to work with you to modify the current embryonic stem-cell policy so that it provides this area of research the greatest opportunity to lead to the treatments and cures we are all hoping for.” So far 90 members of Congress have signed the letter. But it is unlikely that Republicancontrolled Congress or the White House will act during an election year, especially since any loosening of federal restrictions could raise the ire of anti-abortion voters who are a key part of Bush’s electoral base. “That leaves the debate to the states”, says Manganiello. Currently, about 70 different pieces of legislation are being considered by lawmakers in the 50 states. A few states have passed laws banning all cloning and embryonic stem-cell research, but others are passing bills that are creating what supporters call “safe havens” for embryonic stem-cell researchers In 2002, California, a state with a major biotechnology industry, passed legislation outlawing cloning for reproductive purposes but endorsing human embryonic stem-cell research —including cloning—for therapeutic research. Last year, a signature drive was launched to put a bond measure on the November ballot to raise US$3 billion to fund stem-cell research in the state.
THE LANCET • Vol 363 • March 13, 2004 • www.thelancet.com
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet.
FEATURE
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
AP
If successful, the measure According to James would provide $295 million a Battey, director of the year for 10 years to CaliforniaNIH’s stem-cell task force, based universities, companies, which overseas federally and other research institutions funded embryonic stem-cell for stem-cell research. research, only 15 cell lines Chad Griffin, campaign are currently available, but manager of Californians for there is a good chance that Stem Cell Research and Cures, eight additional cell lines the organisation sponsoring the will prove to be useful. But petition drive, says his group has the number is still too few, until April 16 to gather the say stem-cell research necessary 600 000 signatures. backers, to do the work that To be on the safe side, the needs to be done. petition effort plans to gather David Prentice, a about 900 000 signatures, professor of life sciences at Griffin says, “and we’re on Indiana State University target to meet those goals”. (Terre Haute, IN) and an Last month, New Jersey, opponent of embryonic another state with a large stem-cell research, says that biotechnology industry, passed additional cell lines are legislation making it state policy unnecessary. Prentice, who to “permit the conduct of is a member of the Christian research that involves the Medical and Dental derivation and use of human Association and co-founder embryonic stem cells and of Do No Harm, the Anti-abortion voters are a key part of Bush’s electoral base human adult stem cells from any Coalition of Americans for source, including somatic cell nuclear from the Howard Hughes Medical Ethical Research, argues that adult stem transplantation”. The bill’s supporters Institute, the Juvenile Diabetes Research cells are much more likely to be useful said the legislation was necessary to Foundation, and Harvard University. for therapy than embryonic stem cells. ensure the state remained a leader in The cells are described in a report There has been “an avalanche” of medical research. Plans are also posted on the New England Journal of studies in recent years that show that underway to raise $50 million in Medicine’s web site on March 3 adult stem cells from marrow and other government and private funds to (www.nejm.org; DOI: 10.1056/ tissues have the “surprising ability to support embryonic stem-cell research in NEJMsr040330). either change into other tissue or at the state. least stimulate tissue regeneration”, he The New Jersey legislation, which says. “the future is incredibly bright passed by a narrow margin, has been “I would say adult stem cells and . . . All it takes is one clinical bitterly denounced by opponents of the cord blood stem cells are the most success and all this policy stuff research. A spokesperson for the US promising in terms of clinical will just melt away” Conference of Catholic Bishops called it treatments”, Prentice says. “the most extreme, inhumane But Leonard Zon, professor of pro-cloning legislation in the country”, In an editorial accompanying the pediatrics at Harvard Medical School which was “designed to encourage report, the journal’s Editor-in-Chief (Boston, MA) and president of the government-sanctioned ‘human fetus Jeffrey Drazen and Deputy Editor International Society for Stem Cell farms’”. Elizabeth Phimester called for the Research, says that although initial Manganiello says that if stem-cell federal government to add these to the research with adult stem cells was research can gain a foothold in a few cell lines already sanctioned by the Bush promising, it now seems that the more states that have major research policy. versatile embryonic stem cells will be institutions, stem-cell research could “There is too much suffering that needed to develop effective treatments. take off in the USA. “If we can get may be remediable through the Zon says that the restrictions placed California and New Jersey, which we therapeutic application of this new on stem-cell research has made US have, and Massachusetts and New approach to place the new cell lines off scientists “very, very frustrated”, but he York, we’re good to go.” limits to many North American research feels research will progress in the USA Universities and private research scientists”, they wrote. despite the lack of federal funding—with institutions are also striking out on their At one point it was thought that as private philanthropy stepping in to own. A research group at Harvard many as 78 stem-cell lines, created provide the needed support. He also University announced last week that it before the 2001 cut-off established by predicts that as progress is made had produced 17 new embryonic the Bush policy, would be eligible for political opposition will slacken. stem-cell lines that will be made federal funding. But it turned out that “I think the future is incredibly available to researchers for free. The many of these could not be used for bright”, he says. “All it takes is one project was led by Douglas Melton, a research purposes—because they failed clinical success and all this policy stuff father of two children with diabetes and to grow, or belonged to private will just melt away.” and outspoken proponent of stem-cell companies that have not made them Michael McCarthy research, and was supported with funds available to researchers.
THE LANCET • Vol 363 • March 13, 2004 • www.thelancet.com
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet.
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