Although the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a bill to lift current restrictions on embryonic stem cell research Jan. 11, the House lacked the two-thirds majority needed to override the presidential veto. However, an alternative method may eventually find use in Wisconsin.
In the midst of the country's heated discussion on this topic, researchers at Wake Forest University announced they have been able to manipulate cells found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, providing a new alternative to embryonic stem cells.
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research claim the use of embryos is the destruction of human life and see the amniotic fluid research as a way to advance science without moral compromise.
One of these opponents is Susan Armacost, the legislative director for Wisconsin Right to Life. ""This new research provides stem cell research without any of the ethical baggage, there should be full agreement among citizens about this,"" she said.
Armacost said a continued pursuit of embryonic research is unnecessary. ""I personally think continuing to push [embryonic research] is a bunch of bologna, just a pride thing. There's no reason for us to be going down this unethical and unnecessary road.""
However, not everyone is convinced.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said stem cell research is crucial for the country's future, ""The research holds promise to help find cures and treatments for the debilitating diseases ... it is precisely the kind of research that Congress should be passing.""
Andrew Cohn, a spokesperson for WiCell, a non-profit organization that works through the Madison campus to advance stem cell research, said new and old research have to work hand in hand.
""The truth is that all kinds of research can learn from one another, a break through in one area is really an advancement for all of them,"" he said, ""Our biggest concern is to move the science forward ... we need to know if this new research will prove that amniotic fluid can become any cell.""
The scientist created with the discovery, Anthony Attala stated, the discovery should not replace existing science.
In a letter sent to the House on Jan. 8 Attala wrote, ""It is essential that the National Institute of Health funded researchers are able to fully pursue embryonic stem cell research as a complement to research in other forms of stem cells.""
Within Wisconsin, stem cell research has long been a prominent issue with a large number of supporters, including Gov. Jim Doyle.
Carla Vigue, a Doyle spokesperson said, ""The governor sent a letter to all members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation urging them to vote to lift restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.""
Despite support, it is unclear what the future of stem cell research holds. The same bill was passed but then vetoed by President Bush during the last legislative session, and Baldwin said it may suffer the same fate this time around.
""This president has less than two years left and hopefully next we can elect someone who will sign the bill. Sooner or later we'll repeal this president's limits,"" Baldwin said.
When and if a bill passes, places like WiCell and Doyle guarantee that Wisconsin will be on the cutting edge of stem cell advancements.
