Ease U.S. restrictions on stem cell research
Four years ago, when President Bush placed severe restrictions on the types of embryonic stem cell research eligible for federal funding, he made it tougher for scientists to pursue potentially life-saving medical advancements.
That was a mistake.
This week Congress has an opportunity to start correcting that mistake by passing legislation that would ease up on the federal funding restrictions.
Wisconsin's congressional delegation should support the legislation, even over a threatened presidential veto.
The outcome of the debate on federal support for stem cell research is especially important to Wisconsin. UW- Madison is home to James Thomson, the pioneer in human embryonic stem cell research, and the university remains a leader in the field. The research has the potential to become the foundation of a biotechnology industry that could contribute mightily to the state's economy.
But the economic significance to Wisconsin pales in comparison to the medical importance to the world. Embryonic stem cells have the unique ability to transform themselves into almost any tissue of the human body. This ability to generate new tissue offers hope to millions who suffer from diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
To be sure, stem cell research raises ethical questions. Because stem cells hold the precursors to human life, research has become a target of abortion foes. That is why Bush in 2001 limited federal funding to research on stem cell lines created before August of 2001. As a result, stem cell research is shifting to other, less-restrictive countries. It is no coincidence that the latest breakthrough was claimed by an international team of researchers led by South Koreans.
A bipartisan bill now in the House of Representatives would ease the president's restrictions in a responsible way, under guidelines to be established by the National Institutes of Health. The legislation would cover only embryos created for reproduction but not implanted. These are embryos that would be discarded if not used for research.
The legislation would fall short of solving all the problems created by the president's restrictions. But it would be a step in the right direction for medical science and for Wisconsin.
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