Posted by Ellen on February 23, 1999 at 17:02:22:
Federal Stem Cell Tests To Proceed
.c The Associated Press
By PAUL RECER
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal scientists will continue planning research using human stem cells despite arguments by members of Congress that the studies would violate a federal ban, the secretary of health and human services says.
Donna Shalala, the HHS secretary, said Tuesday that she believes the federal law permits the study of cultured human stem cells even though the cells were originally obtained from human embryos.
``The law allows stem cell research,'' Shalala told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees HHS spending. ``We intend to move forward in a careful, deliberative process.''
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the subcommittee chairman and a supporter of stem cell research, asked if new legislation were needed.
``We don't believe a change in law is necessary,'' Shalala said.
Stem cells are basic biological building blocks. One type, called pluripotent stem cells, have the ability to create any organ or any tissue. Scientists say that by guiding the growth of these cells, it might be possible to grow new organs to replace ailing hearts, or neurons to treat brain disease or injury, or insulin-producing cells to cure diabetes. Privately funded researchers recently, for the first time, isolated pluripotent stem cells from human embryos and fetuses. The cells are now maintained in laboratory cultures.
Shalala's statement contradicts contentions by some lawmakers.
A letter signed by 70 House members and sent to Shalala last week argued that any government-funded research using human stem cells would violate a federal ban because the cells originated from human embryos. A letter signed last week by seven senators made similar objections.
A 1996 law specifically forbids federal funding of research in which human embryos are created or destroyed.
The lawmakers' letters followed the January announcement by Dr. Harold Varmus, head of the National Institutes of Health, that the ban did not cover stem cells living in a laboratory culture. He said the NIH was planning to finance stem cell research.
Shalala wrote to Rep. Jay Dickey, R-Ark., first signer of the House letter, that the ban applies only to research in which human embryos are destroyed or discarded, but ``not to research preceding or following such research projects.''
``I have been advised that there is nothing in the legislative history to suggest that the provision was intended to prohibit funding for research in which embryos ... are not involved,'' she wrote.
The House members' letter had contended the ban applied to any research ``which follows or depends upon the destruction of or injury to a human embryo.''
Dickey spokesman Rod Johnson said the congressman had not yet seen Shalala's letter and had no immediate comment.
AP-NY-02-23-99 1651EST
Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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