Widening the Search

A new study has emerged which suggests that stem cells can be gathered from amniotic fluid, primarily obtained during the amniocentresis test given women in the second trimester of pregnancy as a diagnostic tool. The benefit of this study appears to be that stem cells can be obtained for research without destroying embryos. The findings at this point are preliminary, and further peer review, including the replication of the research, has yet to take place, but so far it looks promising.

Unfortunately, the Religious Reich will use this study in an attempt to stop the passage of HR 3, the embryonic stem cell research bill which is scheduled to be voted on November 11, tomorrow. The NY Times published an editorial today that points out the flaws of this argument.

House Democrats are poised to push through a bill this week that would loosen President Bush’s restrictions on federal support of embryonic stem cell research. The bill will be opposed by legislators beholden to religious conservatives. Many are likely to cite a new study suggesting that broadly useful stem cells can be derived from amniotic fluid without destroying embryos to get them.

The new study, while certainly intriguing, in no way lessens the need to widen the array of embryonic stem cells available for research and ultimately therapy. The Democrats’ proposal is extremely modest — about the least that could be done to accelerate progress in this promising field. It deserves support from veto-proof majorities in both houses. ...

Even so, it would be a mistake to use this promising research, which has yet to be replicated or fully accepted by other scientists, as another excuse for hobbling embryonic stem cell research. The days-old embryonic cells are likely more versatile than fetal cells extracted months later from amniotic fluid, and they allow a range of research on the very earliest stages of human development.

The new study is not the final word, nor is it likely to be for several years. We have been told by researchers that even under the best of circumstances therapeutic advances from stem cell research is probably a decade away, which means that delaying the research for additional years means that advances in treatment for diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injuries are even further away for those who suffer from these debilitating diseases and their families.

The new study is great news, but it is at best just one piece of the puzzle. The conclusion drawn by the editorialist nails it squarely:

At this point, it is important to explore all approaches: using “adult” stem cells, which can grow into a very limited range of body tissues; the cells found in amniotic fluid, which may yield a broader range of tissues; and the most versatile cells of all, those derived from early human embryos.

Again, I urge you to contact your Congressional representatives and demand that they vote yes on HR 3 and the Senate counterpoint. We only have a day or so to get this passed.