Science Academy Report Cites Need for Additional Cell Lines

The National Academy of Sciences has concluded that new embryonic cell lines--not just the 60 or so lines permitted to receive federal funds under an order by President Bush--will be necessary to reap benefits from the science.

In a report scheduled to be released today, the academy also calls for continued federal funding for the research and urges that an advisory group be created at the National Institutes of Health to oversee research on human embryonic cells.

Stem cells are the basic building blocks of the body’s parts. Scientists are trying to learn how to coax them to become new, healthy cells to rejuvenate, restore and repair ailing hearts, livers, brains and other organs.

“Given the promise of stem cell research for treating and perhaps curing a variety of debilitating diseases, our committee felt strongly that research not be limited, but include work on both human adult and embryonic stem cells,” said Bert Vogelstein, chairman of the committee that prepared the report.