US state stem cell update

The Minnesota House, on Wednesday, approved a bill by a 71-62 slim margin that would expressly allow the University of Minnesota to use state funds for human embryonic stem cell (ES cell) research. Despite state law not explicitly prohibiting public funding of the controversial research, Representative Phyllis Kahn sponsored the bill believing it is an important 'positive step' to clarify the position and support scientists who had cautiously interpreted state funding to follow the federal restrictions. President Bush banned federal funding for ES cell research on stem cell lines created after August 2001.

The bill would allow embryo research on unwanted surplus IVF embryos. 'Not one embryo that is destined for life would ever be used,' explained Kahn. The measure resembles federal legislation that passed Congress but which President Bush vetoed. The Minnesota bill looks poised for a similar veto fate. A spokesman, on Wednesday, promised that Governor Tim Pawlenty will veto the bill which returns to the Senate for approval of this amended version, having approved an earlier version last year. In February, Governor Pawlenty sent each legislator a letter opposing the bill and alternatively condoning adult stem cell research to discover lifesaving cures 'without crossing moral and ethical boundaries'. Republicans agreed and were only four votes shy of passing an amendment (65-69) that would have restricted funding to stem cell research that does not involve embryo destruction.

Whilst Minnesota politicians struggled to accept ES cell research last week, California forged ahead, taking landmark steps to 'ensure the state's place in medical history' as the 'epicentre' of stem cell research, according to Dr. Alan Trounson, president of the body that awarded $271 million in state grants for the construction of twelve new research laboratories dedicated to stem cell research.

Twelve leading private and public institutions applied for the construction grant and, last Wednesday, after comprehensive consideration since August 2007, the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee decided to distribute grants to all twelve applicants with a view to complete construction in 2010. Each recipient institution will join their own money raised through donations, pledging an additional $560 million for an overall total $831 million.

However, the announcement has been criticised as poorly timed and wasteful because as early as next year the federal restrictions, which currently require ES cell research be conducted in completely separate facilities, could be lifted by a new president, rendering the construction effort unnecessary. Each of the three main presidential candidates has expressed support for relaxing the restriction on federal funding for ES cell research.

Robert Klein, chairman of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, argued that there are no guarantees. He said that likely Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, has expressed disapproval of some stem cell research. He also said that the space was needed to accommodate the growing field anyway. Others emphasise the benefit of creating thousands of construction jobs during economic decline.

The grant-money derives from Proposition 71, a measure that California-voters approved in 2004 which allocates 3 billion of state funds primarily towards ES cell research over ten years. Proposition 71 capped construction expenditure at $300,000 and the award meets this ceiling.