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Regents make decision on stem cell research




(11/20/2009) By Rachel Lake - It was a monumental decision made Friday by the Nebraska Board of Regents. Board members decided to continue following the university's policy that states embryonic stem cell research should be regulated by the federal government.

In 2001, then President George W. Bush prohibited researchers from creating more stem cell lines from embryos.

President Obama has since lifted those restrictions.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents policy states that the federal government regulates embryonic stem cell research.

Four board members sponsored a resolution to uphold the Bush restrictions–which would have overruled that policy. But Friday that resolution failed to pass.

It needed five votes and only got four.

University researchers may now have access to stem cell lines that are allowed to be created under the Obama administration.

Scientists said researching new cell lines could lead to cures for degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. But in order to obtain a cell line you need to kill the embryo.

"Do you believe life begins with the embryo?
Absolutely it begins at conception and I do not believe we should be taking embryos and taking them apart for the benefit of research that has shown no promise whatsoever," said Sandy Danek.

But some supporters said scientific advancements require limitless research. And half of the regent board members agree–including Jim McClurg of Lincoln–who is endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life. McClurg voted against the resolution that would have limited embryonic stem cell research.

"It is disappointing that our fifth vote–Regent McClurg decided to go the other way. It is not real surprising because of his comments in recent weeks, not sponsoring the resolution we kind of knew there was a possibility, but we still held out hope that perhaps he would still be with us," said Julie Schmit-Albin, Nebraska Right To Life.

McClurg saod he rejected the resolution out of respect for the passage of Legislative Bill 606 which states federal guidelines should govern embryonic stem cell research in Nebraska.

During the meeting, the board of regents heard from more than 20 speakers who were both for and against embryonic stem cell research expansion.

Attached Files: 1120stem.jpg 


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