Delaware activists mobilise for stem cell research debate

Stem cell research supporters in the US State of Delaware have learnt from last year's campaign by opposition group 'A Rose and a Prayer' - a coalition of religious and political conservative factions, which sent roses to all the Delaware House of Representative members. Supporters of this year's similar bipartisan Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), introduced by state Democratic Senator Robert Venables and Republican House Representative Deborah Hudson in January, have formed 'Stem Cell Go' to launch an aggressive counter-campaign effort featuring packets of American sweets called 'Life Savers'. The emblematic gimmick aims to convey that supporting stem cell research is 'pro-cure and saving lives', explained Stephanie Hansen, president of Stem Cell Go. They claim to represent 70 percent of the Delaware electorate.

The point of contention is human embryonic stem cell (hES cell)research, although the bill seeks to create a regulatory framework for all types of publicly funded stem cell research. The bill would ban human reproductive cloning and sale of human embryos, but allow those who receive fertility treatment to be given the option to donate their surplus IVF embryos to hES cell research, after considering alternatives like donation to other infertile couples. The bill also authorises 'therapeutic cloning' - otherwise known as SCNT, the technique used to create Dolly the famously cloned sheep in 1996. Many scientists and supporters hope that SCNT could lead to the creation of new stem cell lines genetically-matched to people affected by conditions such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes, which could lead to a better understanding of, and perhaps new treatments for many degenerative disorders.

Delaware's legislative effort and heightened campaign fervour falls in line with a series of US state congressional measures to both foster and regulate the scientific parameters of stem cell research. On 7 March, Iowa's Governor Chet Culver approved a bill that repeals its five-year state ban on therapeutic cloning. Meanwhile Illinois House has approved a bill, which the Senate is set to approve, supporting the institute established by executive decree in July 2005 by Governor Blagojevich, which has already distributed $15 million for stem cell research. The Illinois bill bans reproductive cloning, establishes an oversight committee for its institute and encourages both adult and hES cell research. Likewise, Minnesota has a bill set for approval - supporting all types of stem cell research and requiring consent for the donation of unused IVF embryos for hES cell research - which made it out of House committee last week with an amendment to criminalise human cloning.

Hudson hopes the Delaware bill will ride the wave of recent state and federal attitude change in support of hES cell research to fast-track the bill through the Senate and then the House before the legislative break begins on 30 June, to avoid colliding with the 2008 election agenda. Opponents have already begun a radio broadcast campaign. Stem Cell Go has countered and held a news conference at which supporters filled a jar with LifeSavers. Last year the bill made it through the Delaware Senate but was stripped in the House with only the ban on reproductive cloning remaining and failed. Delaware Governor Minner supports the bill but awaits to see the amendments attached before promising approval.