Opinions split on stem cells

Josh Kleinbaum

One week after California thrust itself into the forefront of a

raging medical and ethical debate by approving Proposition 71,

Glendale’s local lawmakers weighed in on the touchy topic of stem

cell research.

The debate centers on unspecialized cells known as stem cells that

have the ability to develop into different types of specialized human

cells. Embryonic stem cell research uses cells from a developing

human embryo, but extracting the cell destroys the embryo. Adult stem

cell research, as the name suggests, uses cells from adults.

Some supporters of stem cell research believe that embryonic stem

cells can be more successful and have more potential than adult stem

cells. Critics say embryonic stem cell research carries the same

moral dilemma as abortion -- if an embryo is a human life, destroying

the embryo for medical research is tantamount to murder.

Last week, California voters approved Proposition 71, which will

provide $3 billion in state funds for embryonic stem cell research.

“It holds enormous promise for medical breakthroughs that will

save countless lives,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, who represents

Glendale. “It will be done ethically and morally. It has to be done

that way. At the national level, we have done a disservice by

artificially curtailing this vital research. California will once

again be on the cutting edge.”

At the national level, President Bush has cut federal spending on

embryonic stem cell research, a move supported by Rep. David Dreier,

(R-La Crescenta).

“Pursuit of a method to find cures for horrible ailments like

Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer is a high priority for all

Americans,” Dreier said. “Now that 71 has passed, I expect the

funding it provides will be closely monitored so that it yields the

most efficient and effective results for the people of California and

the nation.”

Schiff, a Democrat, has pushed embryonic stem cell research in

Congress. In February 2003, Schiff attempted to amend a bill banning

human cloning to include an excep- tion for “therapeutic cloning,”

which would allow doctors to transfer the nucleus of a patient’s cell

into the stem cell. This would ensure that the stem cell would not be

rejected by the patient’s body.

Schiff’s amendment, which failed, met stiff opposition from

pro-life groups, which oppose human cloning.

“It has a great benefit, medically,” Schiff said. “As long as it’s

being done for the purpose of healing, it’s something that must be

allowed. We have to prohibit cloning for purposes of reproduction.”

Some local legislators offered support for the concept of stem

cell research, but expressed concern over its costs to taxpayers.

Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, a Democrat, said he

supports all types of stem cell research, but he does not think that

California is in the financial position to finance the research.

Frommer, who represents Glendale, said the $3-billion bond will cost

the state $6 billion, including interest.

“I’m troubled by Proposition 71, because the state is broke,”

Frommer said. “That initiative, which Gov. [Arnold] Schwarzenegger

supported, puts us another $6 billion in the hole. Right now, we’re

having trouble making our commitments to build roads, schools and

other infra- structure, and I don’t think when the state is in this

type of financial crisis, we should be spending $6 billion on this

type of research.”

State Sen. Jack Scott said he supported biotechnology and

initiatives that help attract the industry to the state. But he added

that the bill for Prop. 71 will be high.

“The only problem is that it’s a very high price tag for the

taxpayer, after the bond is paid off,” Scott said.

Now, success of the measure will include good oversight and

monitoring, Scott said.

“The voters have spoken,” said Scott, a Democrat who represents

Glendale. “We’ll have to go ahead with this ... make sure the money

is wisely spent and that we avoid conflicts of interests, and that it

doesn’t unusually enrich any particular biotech company.”