Scientists ready to jump-start embryonic stem-cell research
Saturday, February 7, 2009 5:41 PM
By Kevin Mayhood
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Scientists in Ohio and across the country say they are eager to jump-start embryonic stem-cell research curtailed by the Bush administration.
President Barack Obama has promised to lift funding restrictions on the controversial studies, possibly as early this month.
"It's time to pursue embryonic stem-cell research," said Stanton Gerson, director of the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine in Cleveland. "There's a huge amount of science to be done."
Embryonic stem cells can develop into any of the 220 specialized human cells. Scientists hope to use the cells for a host of diseases and disorders, from burn wounds and damaged blood vessels to leukemia and diabetes.
"There are a lot of scientific breakthroughs on the horizon ," said Chandan Sen, associate dean for translational and applied research at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.
"First and foremost, the playing field has not been level, nationally or globally. This would be huge for the nation our science would be empowered to compete."
Scientists say they are ready to submit grant proposals to study hundreds of cell lines developed using private money. They have been off-limits in federally funded research.
Chris Coburn, who runs the capital venture arm of the Cleveland Clinic, said Bush's restrictions had a "chilling effect" on private-research investments.
"If they lift the restrictions we will see an acceleration in development of stem-cell applications and medical products."
Two weeks ago, a California company became the first to receive federal approval to use a treatment derived from embryonic stem-cell research in a clinical trial - 10 years after the cells were first isolated.
The political debate over embryonic stem cells dates to 2001, when President George W. Bush agreed to allow the use of federal funds for research, but limited support to existing cell lines, which numbered 22.
Most were in far-from-ideal condition and unsuitable for clinical work.
Scientists remove stem cells from excess embryos that would be thrown away by fertility clinics.
Opponents say that killing any embryo for cells equates to abortion and argue that so-called adult stem cells should be used instead.
"Whether the (adult) stem cells can mimic embryonic stem cells impeccably is the question," said Eli Y. Adashi, an endocrinologist at Brown University and a member of the National Academy of Science Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee.
To find out, "We need the reference point, the real McCoy."
Research was slowed here by a ban in Ohio as well.
While California, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York used state dollars to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in embryonic studies, former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft banned state funding.
Ohio has yet to fund embryonic stem-cell research, said Kelly Schlissberg, a spokeswoman for the Department of Development.
The Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine in Cleveland has been studying adult stem cells, with state funding, since 2003.
At Nationwide Children's Hospital, Brian K. Kaspar is studying the basic biology of stem cells. He is using one of the approved lines to study such things as spinal-cord damage and Lou Gehrig's disease.
Kaspar said he expects discoveries will come faster as more cell lines become available.
"Each line has different advantages."
kmayhood@dispatch.com
AI
