http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pb...0401/1001/NEWS

Passions pour out at stem cell hearing
Is there promise or danger in lifting research restrictions? Scores of speakers weigh in with state legislators.

By JONATHAN ROOS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


February 22, 2007
7 Comments



A Statehouse hearing Wednesday night on proposals to lift restrictions on types of stem cell research drew religious leaders, scientists, children with diabetes and other Iowans who feel passionately about the issue.

Catholic Archbishop Jerome Hanus of Dubuque - one of 80-some people scheduled to speak at the hearing in the House chamber - said it would be unethical to allow embryonic stem cell research derived from cloning.

"Just because this living human organism was created by the nucleus of a somatic cell, and not by a sperm, does not prove that this is not human," said Hanus.

"This kind of experimentation holds little promise of developing therapies that will cure or treat any diseases," he said. "Iowa tax dollars would be put to better use if they were directed to more promising research."

Eleven-year-old Karli Borcherding of Ankeny, diagnosed with diabetes about two years ago, offered a different perspective.

"My parents and I have talked about how this research is affected by our belief in God. I believe in God, and I believe he gave me this disease for a reason. I also believe he gives us these opportunities in research for a reason," Borcherding said.

Roger Gould of Ames, stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and brought into the House chamber in a wheelchair, had his remarks read for him.

"I strongly believe that fear and misinformation have had a very adverse impact on stem cell research and its tremendous potential to unlock treatment options for people with untreatable illnesses," Gould's statement said.

Last week, the Senate narrowly approved its version of a bill that would allow medical researchers in Iowa to create embryonic stem cells through cloning. A companion bill has been introduced in the House, where the outcome of the debate is uncertain.

Dr. Mark Anderson, a professor of cardiology at the University of Iowa and a researcher, testified that the stem cell legislation would help ensure scientists have the tools to seek cures for heart disease, diabetes and other serious maladies.

"This bill is not about cloning humans. ... No one will clone humans in Iowa. No one will clone humans at the University of Iowa," Anderson said.

On the other hand, executives of a startup biotech company in Coralville said the firm's work with stem cells has not been hindered by the current state law.

"The fact that we are located in Iowa has not hurt our ability to do business with other scientists in academia or industry because of the Iowa law," said Anant Kamath, chief operating officer of CET. The firm grows stem cells from tissue sources such as umbilical cords.

Other notables who spoke at the hearing included former legislators John Redwine, Dan Boddicker and Mark Tremmel, who oppose the legislation, and Des Moines Register columnist Rekha Basu, a supporter whose husband, Rob Borsellino, died of ALS.

Critics and supporters sharply disagree over whether the legislation continues, or nullifies, a five-year-old state ban on human cloning.

Supporters point out that the legislation would make it a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison to engage in human reproductive cloning. Opponents insist that the legislation legalizes a form of human cloning.

The national Catholic-based advocacy group Fidelis, along with the Iowa Right to Life Committee, was launching a radio ad campaign urging Iowans to speak out against the legislation.

"If this bill passes, the Iowa cloning ban will be repealed and Iowa will become known as the farm state for human cloning," said Iowa Right to Life Committee President Kim Lehman.

A state law passed in 2002 allows research on embryonic stem cells left over from in vitro fertilization, but the law prevents researchers from trying to create stem cells through a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer.

The process creates a cloned embryo by removing the nucleus of a human egg cell and fusing the "empty" egg with the nucleus of another human cell. The cell then divides, and embryonic stem cells can be extracted to be used for research. The embryo is destroyed.

Gov. Chet Culver, a strong advocate of the legislation lifting restrictions on stem cell research, has recommended that the Legislature approve $12.5 million for the creation of a stem cell research center at the University of Iowa.

Reporter Jonathan Roos can be reached at (515) 284-8443 or jroos@dmreg.com

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/app...702230391/1001

House passes stem cell proposal, 52-46
The bill, which would loosen restrictions on scientific research, goes to Gov. Chet Culver, who says he will sign the legislation into law.

By JENNIFER JACOBS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


February 23, 2007
9 Comments



Scientists in Iowa can soon use stem cells extracted from cloned human embryos to research cures for maladies such as diabetes, spinal cord injuries and heart disease.

A proposal to loosen restrictions on stem cell research passed, 52-46, Thursday night in the Iowa House.

Last week, the Iowa Senate narrowly approved its version of the bill. The bill goes to Gov. Chet Culver, who promised Thursday night to sign the legislation into law.

Republicans who opposed the bill pointed out the coincidence that Thursday was the 10-year anniversary of the day scientists in Scotland announced the birth of the first cloned mammal - a sheep named Dolly. Her full name was Dolly Parton; the DNA used to clone her came from a breast cell.

Rep. Thomas Sands, R-Columbus Junction, said he's worried where Iowa's cloning research will lead in five years, or 10 years.

"When is wrong right?" he said. "It's never right. One life is never more important than another.

"Never. We're equal."



Embryonic stem cell research is already being done now in Iowa and in 43 other states, but Iowa's laws prohibit the research from being applied to patient treatment, said Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames.

"It is a clear choice about whether or not the quality of life of our fellow Iowans that are sick and suffering will be improved," Heddens said.

"It is a clear choice about whether or not our world-class researchers will be able to develop cutting-edge treatments and therapies or will they be forced to leave our state."

Opponents questioned the morality and necessity of the research, saying adult stem cells, which don't result in destruction of an embryo, have already been proved successful in therapies such as bone marrow transplants.

"In my opinion, life begins when those cells start growing," said Rep. Chuck Soderberg, R-Le Mars. "When those cells start growing, that is a living being and that is very wrong to, in five to seven days, dispose of that being."



A state law passed in 2002 allowed research on embryonic stem cells left from in-vitro fertilization, but prohibits human cloning for any purpose. The new law will make it legal to create stem cells through a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer.

"We need to be clear with the public that we are allowing something that is currently a class C felony in Iowa," said Rep. Jodi Tymeson, R-Winterset.

The process creates a cloned embryo by removing the nucleus of a human egg cell and fusing the "empty" egg with the nucleus of another human cell. The cell then divides, and embryonic stem cells can be extracted to be used for research.

The embryo is then destroyed.

"There are people today in the lesbian community that think in reality they can create human life without sperm" using this technique, said Rep. David Heaton, a R-Mount Pleasant.

"So I don't understand how what you're saying here is not human cloning."



Heddens said the cloned embryo could not be implanted in a woman's uterus.

"That's banned," she said, and the penalty would be up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake, said adult stem cell research helped keep his granddaughter, Madison Dewitt, 7, alive. Her stem cells, considered adult stem cells, were harvested before she had six rounds of chemotherapy, then placed back in her body.

"Let's put our money in research we know works," said May, who is also opposed to Culver's recommendation that the Legislature approve $12.5 million for a new stem cell research center at the University of Iowa.

The bill passed Thursday night did not include any money for such a center.

Reporter Jennifer Janeczko Jacobs can be reached at (515) 284-8127 or jejacobs@dmreg.com