US experts want more stem cells

The stem cell debate in America continues. The US National Academy of Sciences, an advisory body to the government, has produced a report stating that the 64 embryonic stem cell lines identified by Bush as eligible for federally funded research will not be enough to progress with the science. It says that new stem cell lines will be needed in order to facilitate research, even though President Bush has said that research will only be allowed to take place on those already in existence.

The report was backed by a panel of experts headed by Professor Bert Vogelstein of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. It said that higher quality stem cell colonies are needed. In a statement accompanying the report, Professor Vogelstein said that 'new embryonic stem cell lines will need to be developed in the long run to replace existing lines that become compromised by age, and to address concerns about culture with animal cells that could result in risks for humans'. The panel also voiced its support for therapeutic cloning.

In addition, the academy also advised that the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) set up an advisory group to continually monitor and oversee research on human embryonic stem cells because of the ethical problems that arise. It also calls for more federal funding for stem cell research.Meanwhile, the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) has pledged $2.2 million in funding for a research program that aims to produce a stem cell line with benefit to Parkinson's disease patients. Proposals for the award will be based on merit, rather than the source of the cells to be used, a MJFF spokesperson said.