Stem-cell debate could heat up again in Nebraska

Regional News

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- With President-elect Barack Obama promising to ease restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research, it could mean a rekindled debate and some decisions for Nebraska researchers and other officials.

Members of Obama's transition team have indicated a change in stem-cell research policy could come swiftly, perhaps within the first 100 days of his presidency.

If so, scientists say it could open the door to a host of new opportunities in medical research.

Researchers study embryonic stem cells in hopes of developing cures to diseases. They have come under fire because isolating the cells destroys embryos. Opponents of the research believe embryos are the starting point of human life and that destroying them is immoral.

Opponents say they hope restrictions remain in place at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

The NU Board of Regents' current policy on stem-cell research says UNMC scientists must abide by federal guidelines in their work.

Under President George W. Bush, that meant UNMC scientists can conduct embryonic stem-cell research only on stem-cell lines created before Aug. 9, 2001.

"I think the ball is going to land in (the regents') court," said Chip Maxwell, executive director of the Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research, which opposes embryonic stem-cell research.

Maxwell said his group plans to meet with regents soon to discuss restricting an expansion of UNMC's research under the Obama administration.

"We would argue there's no reason Nebraska needs to partake in what we say is the wrong direction in stem-cell research," Maxwell said. "We'd like to hold the line right where it is."

Whether the regents will act, however, remains to be seen. Board Chairman Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons, a supporter of embryonic stem-cell research, said he's heard no discussion about revisiting the board's policy.

Putting restrictions on UNMC researchers that aren't imposed on other researchers across the country could hurt UNMC's recruitment and retention of top scientists and even its ability to compete for federal grant money, said David Crouse, UNMC associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.

"We want to be on a level playing field. We do want to be world-class," he said. "We don't want to be put at a disadvantage."

The chance to use new stem-cell lines harvested from embryos left over from fertility treatments is alluring to scientists because the old lines are damaged and, in some cases, no longer functional, Crouse said.

Crouse and Hassebrook said that even if Obama expands embryonic stem-cell research, UNMC scientists would be bound by a state law passed this year that prohibits them from creating and destroying embryos at will.

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