Texas Preps for Stem Cell Fight
by Cindy Tumiel, San Antonio Express-News
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Jan. 27--AUSTIN -- States have become the new battleground in the divisive debate over using embryonic stem cells in medical research, and Texas lawmakers are getting ready to face the thorny issue in the recently convened legislative session.
Medical school deans, medical ethicists and biotech business leaders took turns addressing lawmakers on the issue of stem cell research Wednesday afternoon as a Senate-House panel convened what it billed as an educational session for lawmakers and their staffs.
No bills are pending at the moment, but lawmakers say they expect to tangle with the issue in the coming months.
"The fact is, this legislative session will address this issue," said Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, as she convened the four-hour hearing.
Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any tissue in the body. Scientists say they could be used to develop cures for diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson's, and to regenerate parts for diseased organs.
Focus shifted to the states after President Bush in 2001 enacted a policy restricting the use of federal research dollars to just those stem cell lines that existed at the time. Bush said no federal dollars could be used on new lines derived by destroying additional embryos.
Since then, states have been adopting laws to either reinforce or go around the presidential order. California voters in November approved $3 billion in state bonds to support stem cell research, and other states are considering similar proposals.
A number of states, including Arkansas and North and South Dakota, have enacted laws restricting the work that scientists can do in the field.
Texas, home to both renowned research institutions and powerful religious conservatives, is priming for the debate over what role the state will play.
Already, Gov. Rick Perry has said he'd oppose using taxpayer dollars to support research with stem cells derived from human embryos.
One of the speakers invited to Wednesday's panel was Robert Klein, a wealthy California developer and the architect of that state's $3 billion voter initiative. He hopes Texas follows that lead.
"Texas has critical medical researchers and could be a vital part of the group of states who lead this country in this area of research," Klein said.
The California money is only for scientists working there, Klein said, which could drain promising researchers out of Texas and send families west in search of treatment.
On the other side of the debate, Eric Cohen, director of the Biotechnology and American Democracy Program at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, said the decision should be governed by morals.
"That question hinges on the bedrock principle of medical ethics: that we don't exploit some lives -- especially the weak and the vulnerable -- to benefit others," Cohen said. |
