Federal Stem Cell Bill Stalled?

Federal Stem Cell Bill Stalled?

The Boston Globe reported today that the stem cell bill which would increase funding for embryonic stem cell research appears to be stalled in Congress. Supporters want to bring the bill to the Senate floor next month, but Bill Frist, who supports additional funding, has not reserved debate time for it. Conservatives are threatening a filibuster.

In the meantime, however, the bill—or lack of it—may become an issue in the midterm elections, according to the Globe. There is concern that failure to pass a bill may harm moderate Republicans up for re-election who support it, and that they could be portrayed as antiscience.

The Senate’s legislative agenda is said to be really tight, including immigration issues, lobbying reform, and the Patriot Act. There are reportedly enough votes to pass the bill in the Senate, but there may not be enough to override a potential presidential veto. People who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research think the bill should not be considered this term.

If you want to let your Senator know what you think, you can get contact information for them at http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.
This page provides snail mail addresses and has e-mail links.

Scientists Say US Stem Cell Research Lagging Behind

Scientists Say US Stem Cell Research Lagging Behind

The Kansas City Star ran an article that included information from an interview with Jamie Thompson, the scientist who first isolated human embryonic stem cells. Thompson and other scientists at the Bio 2006 conference in Chicago said that US researchers are falling behind and criticized President Bush’s restitutions on federal funding. According to the article, “The National Institutes of Health devoted $40 million to human embryonic stem-cell projects last year. This was less than a tenth of the $569 million for other stem-cell research. The agency’s overall research budget was about $29 billion.” The article recounts the familiar issues of researchers not having enough good stem cell lines to work with when using federal funds, difficulties involved in separating the non-eligible research for the eligible research, and the fear that younger scientists will seek a different field because of the restrictions. The article also discussed issues related to biotech companies and investors, who are reluctant to put the money forward for stem cell research because of the controversial issues.

Umbilical Cord Order Signed in Georgia

Umbilical Cord Order Signed in Georgia

The governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue, signed an executive order yesterday establishing a commission to develop cord blood banks in Georgia. According to an AP story in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Perdue’s order does not prohibit stem embryonic stem cell research, but a supporter of a bill that would have allowed hESC work said that, “The governor's proclamation seems to do the opposite” of encouraging a wide range of stem cell research. An article in the Gwinnett Daily Post reports that a bill which had passed the state Senate and did not include restrictions on cloning—there had been a clause prohibiting cloning in the original version, but it was removed—passed the House with some modifications but ultimately was not enacted because the Senate ran out of time for reconsideration due to a filibuster on an unrelated bill.
I don’t think anyone can be opposed to establishing a cord blood bank. But I don’t think it does much to move science forward.