Reaching A Stem-cell Research

By U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO)

After years of polarized debate over embryonic stem cell research, an
important consensus is developing. Leaders from across the ideological
spectrum are recognizing the potential stem cells hold for curing any
number of diseases from diabetes to Parkinson's to Alzheimer's to
cancer.

But the promise of stem cell research is being tragically delayed by a
White House policy that chooses political calculation over the
advancement of medical science. For it was politics that was the driving
force behind President George W. Bush's August 2001 Executive Order that
has crippled stem cell research in our country. As a result, in the more
than two years since this order was issued only 19 stem cell lines are
available to federally funded researchers.

Under any circumstances, 19 stem cell lines would be wholly inadequate
for the United States' advanced research system. But the current
situation has been made even worse by the fact that the lines available
to researchers have aged and may be contaminated by other cells,
rendering them useless.

As scientists at the University of Colorado experience every day, the
President's policy has created significant roadblocks. Some researchers
have struggled to find useable stem cell lines. Others have had to rely
entirely on limited private funding for their research into stem cells
as a potential cure for Parkinson's disease, significantly slowing their
efforts.

The severe limitation on federal funding of this research also runs
counter to the mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The
nation's preeminent medical research center was founded in 1887 to
promote and guide advances in medicine in the United States. Its goal is
to improve the nation's health and expand the knowledge base in medical
sciences to enhance the nation's economy. Given the promise embryonic
stem cell research holds for *[both]{.underline}* the nation's health
and the economy, it would certainly compete for a place at the top of
NIH's agenda if politics were not at play.

Unfortunately, the impact of the President's policies goes beyond even
the laboratory. A member of the President's Council on Bioethics, Dr.
Elizabeth Blackburn, was dismissed from her position because she
disagreed with the Chairman of the Council on embryonic stem cell
research. This dismissal raises serious questions about the President's
willingness to hear differing opinions on science policy. It also
undermines the council's ability to provide the President and the public
with sound information.

Scientists in the United States discovered stem cells. Under normal
circumstances, we would still be the global leaders in stem cell
research. But because of the politicization of what is a medical
research issue, American scientists who want to do stem cell research
are either taking their expertise to other countries or other areas of
science. As a result, we have lost this leadership to the United
Kingdom.

It is the failure of the current policy that has led to the formation of
what is one of the most diverse coalitions in American politics today.
More than 200 Republican and Democratic Members of Congress have joined
me in signing a letter to the President urging him to change his policy
on stem cell research. We have also been joined in our fight by such
conservative stalwarts as former first lady Nancy Reagan, Senate
Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). While
we may differ on many other issues, we speak with one voice in warning
the President that his current policy has a chilling effect on stem cell
research in the United States.

As this broad coalition demonstrates, support for stem cell research
transcends traditional political divides. There are as many as one
hundred million Americans looking to stem cell research for possible
cures. Stifling the science and chilling research will not make this
promise go away.

This is a problem with a clear solution.

Everyone who supports stem cell research is committed to [the
science]{.underline} and asks nothing more than for the President to
allow science to prevail. We hope that President Bush will work with
this bipartisan group to provide the greatest opportunity for stem cell
research possible. Too many American patients are waiting.

# U.S. Representative Diana DeGette is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health care and medical research issues.