Stem cell research expands under new leadership

Efforts are being taken to repeal bans on research.

By Andrew Denney

Published Jan. 30, 2009

Correction appended

The federal government has cleared a private research company to use embryonic stem cells for trials on humans, and public research institutions such as MU could soon be extended the same liberty.

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted clearance to Geron, a Menlo Park, Calif., biotechnology company, to conduct trials using human embryonic stem cells for a procedure involving an acute spinal injury.

The decision comes after President Barack Obama had announced he intended to repeal the ban on federal funding for abortions and stem cell research instituted by his predecessor, former President George Bush.

FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley, said the timing of the FDA's decision in relation to the president's remarks was coincidental, and that they allowed trials after safety issues involving the procedure were addressed.

The current law, which was put into effect by Bush shortly after he took office in 2001, limited any federal funding for embryonic stem cell research to lines that were in existence before the law came into effect, thus preventing any new lines from being established.

Mark Frankel, scientific freedom, responsibility and law director for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, said he thinks stem cell research will expand under the new administration.

"I think the Bush plan has slowed that down a little bit," Frankel said.

R. Michael Roberts, a life sciences professor at MU and one of two researchers at the university registered to conduct research using stem cells, said the political climate in the state could hinder the same type of research in Missouri.

"This isn't a state that is receptive to stem cell work," he said.

Roberts, who said his work is more focused on the study of embryonic stem cells themselves and not their effects in humans, said he does not have any intention to conduct similar procedures at MU, but said they could be done in the future.

"We'll begin to see over the next 10 to 15 years what stem cells have to offer in terms of regenerative medicine," Roberts said.

For years, legislators and interest groups in Missouri have been locked in heated debate over the issue.

In 2006, Missouri voters narrowly approved an amendment that prevents any legislation that would outlaw embryonic stem cell research in the state. The passage of the amendment drew the ire of anti-abortion rights groups in the state, and several attempts have been made to change the current law.

The following year, a Republican controlled state legislature passed a law that provided funds from the sale of assets from MOHELA, the state's higher education loan authority, to state colleges and universities for capitol improvement projects. However, they were also successful in passing an amendment that prevented the money from being used on buildings in which embryonic stem cell research takes place.

After the announcement last week, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat, issued a release lauding the FDA's decision. Koster changed parties two years ago because, he has said, he differed from the GOP on the stem cell issue.

Ed Martin, president of Missouri Roundtable for Life, which will issue a petition for a ballot initiative in 2010 that would outlaw public funding for embryonic stem cell research, said Koster's attempt to join the public debate over the issue was an example of "Blagojevich-esque pay-to-play" politics. He said it has more to do with quid pro quo involving researchers like the Stowers' Institute, a not-for-profit corporation who provided funds to Koster's campaign for attorney general and $30 million to pass the amendment in 2006.

He said one of the reasons that Missouri has avoided budget deficits that have plagued other states is because it has not funded the research with its tax dollars.

"Most Americans, and most Missourians, I'm sure, don't want their tax dollars spent on this," he said.