State Lawmakers Give Stem Cell Research A Boost

By Noreen Gillespie

Associated Press

HARTFORD — Lawmakers in Connecticut and Massachusetts took steps to advance stem cell research in their states, efforts designed to capitalize on an emerging scientific field.

Connecticut’s House of Representatives gave final approval Tuesday to a ten-year, $100 million stem cell funding plan, while legislators in Massachusetts overturned Gov Mitt Romney’s veto and approved a bill giving state health officials regulatory control over such research.

The Connecticut measure, already approved by the state Senate, now goes to Gov M. Jodi Rell, who has said she would sign it into law.

“It is my hope that in the not too distant future, Connecticut scientists in Connecticut labs will be discovering cures to debilitating illnesses,” Rell said. “I think we will all look back with pride on our decision to make this important and visionary investment.”

Proponents of Connecticut’s measure, pointing to a $3 billion investment in California and a proposed $380 million investment in New Jersey, framed the issue in economic terms, saying the state needed to move swiftly to retain researchers and become a leader in the field.

“What we’re saying is, we are supporting stem cell research and that we’re willing to put our money where our mouth is in our ten-year commitment,” Democratic Rep Peggy Sayers said.

Scientists believe the cells can be coaxed into any tissue in the body, providing potential for cures for everything from Parkinson’s to Alzheimer’s, juvenile diabetes to spinal cord injuries.

In Massachusetts, the Legislature overrode Romney’s veto of a bill giving state health officials regulatory controls over the research. Previously, researchers had to seek the approval of the local district attorney.

Romney, a Republican, vetoed the Massachusetts bill last week because it allows the cloning of human embryos for use in stem cell experiments — a practice Romney said amounts to creating life in order to destroy it.

Romney has said he supports research using either adult stem cells or cells extracted from leftover frozen embryos from fertility clinics.

The new Massachusetts law bans cloning that results in a baby, but that practice is already prohibited under federal law.

Connecticut’s legislation would spread the investment over ten years and create an advisory board and a committee to award grants and oversee research.

It would also prohibit growing research embryos past about 14 days — or implanting them. It would require fertility clinics to give patients information about donating embryos but prohibit them from accepting payment for embryos, eggs, or sperm.

Opponents said the bill permits the creation of embryos, which they compared to human cloning.

“We’re not talking about a monkey. We’re not talking about a rabbit. We’re talking about human life,” said Republican state Rep T.R. Rowe.

The vote came as Congress considers lifting a ban on using federal funds for new embryonic stem cell research — a proposal President Bush has threatened to veto.