**[THE NEW YORK TIMES]{.underline}**

##### April 7, 2005

## Changes Are Weighed on Stem Cells

**By [SHERYL GAY
STOLBERG](http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?ppds=bylL&v1=SHERYL GAY STOLBERG&fdq=19960101&td=sysdate&sort=newest&ac=SHERYL GAY STOLBERG&inline=nyt-per)**
![](media/image1.png){width="0.4791666666666667in" height="0.34375in"}

ASHINGTON, April 6 - With some Republicans pressing to loosen President
Bush\'s restrictions on federal financing for embryonic stem cell
research, the director of the National Institutes of Health said
Wednesday that there is \"mounting evidence\" that such a policy change
would benefit science, and other top N.I.H. officials echoed his
assessment.

Dr. Elias Zerhouni, the health institutes\' director, said he was not
advocating a policy change and acknowledged the research raised moral
concerns. But in testimony to a panel of senators, he made clear that
scientists believe the current rules, which limit federal financing to a
certain number of colonies, or lines, of embryonic stem cells, are
hindering scientific progress.

\"From a scientific standpoint, there is no doubt that many scientists
will tell you that there are questions they would like to be able to
address, that more lines, such as the lines, for example, that harbor
specific genetic defects, would be helpful to them,\" Dr. Zerhouni said
in an interview after the hearing, adding, \"There are areas of research
that you could pursue.\"

His remarks, coupled with similar written testimony submitted by other
top N.I.H. scientists, offered a pointed critique by top federal health
officials of the policy Mr. Bush announced in August 2001. The issue of
embryonic stem cell research is once again percolating on Capitol Hill;
in the House, the Republican leadership has promised backers of the
studies a vote later this spring.

\"What\'s important about this is not that it was said - it\'s who said
it,\" said Representative Michael N. Castle, Republican of Delaware, who
is leading the House effort to expand the president\'s policy.

Embryonic stem cells can give rise to any cell or tissue in the body,
and scientists and advocates for patients say the research holds the
potential for treatments and cures for a range of diseases. But the
studies draw opposition because they involve the destruction of human
embryos.

Mr. Bush, seeking a compromise, decided federal money would be spent
only on studies of those stem cell lines created before his policy was
announced, so as to discourage the further destruction of embryos. But
lawmakers like Mr. Castle and Senator Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania
Republican who convened Wednesday\'s hearing, are proposing legislation
to permit research on embryos left over from fertility clinics, which
would be discarded anyway.

Mr. Specter said he is urging Senator Bill Frist, the Republican leader,
to take up the bill. Dr. Frist, a transplant surgeon, said last year
that he thought it was time to review the policy.

But on Wednesday his spokeswoman, Amy Call, said, \"Senator Frist
continues to monitor the progress in stem cell research and the need for
any changes in policy, but at this point does not feel any are
necessary.\"

Mr. Bush has said repeatedly that he believes his policy is sufficient.
\"The 500-pound gorilla in this discussion is the president,\" said
Representative Dave Weldon, a Florida Republican who opposes embryonic
research.

But in written testimony in response to questions from Mr. Specter,
several top N.I.H. scientists expressed serious concerns about the
restrictions. Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, director of the National Heart, Lung
and Blood Institute, wrote that \"progress has been delayed by the
limited number of cell lines\" and said scientists who depend on federal
financing \"are at a technological disadvantage relative to researchers
funded by California,\" where the policy is more liberal.