The president?s veto on legislation intended to expand embryonic stemcell research leaves Maryland playing a significant role in the future of the field.
The General Assembly approved $15 million in stem cell funding this spring, compared to $90 million of federal funding over the past five years. Federal funding is limited to 21 “lines,” or cultures, of stem cells that existed in 2001, whereas Maryland?s funding will be allocated to any worthy research by the Maryland Stem Cell Funding Commission, which begins meeting later this month.
“I believe in the value of life, that?s why I support stem cell research and the promise it holds,” said State Sen. Paula Hollinger, a Democrat running for the 3rd congressional district this year. Hollinger played a key role in the state funding bill.
President George W. Bush, citing the destruction of human embryos, vetoed legislation Wednesday that would have expanded funding to new stem cell lines and studies.
Others argued that federal funding and regulation is necessary to control the quality of research conducted in this nation.
“I fear that without national standards and national legislation, this could be conducted outside of the public eye without national and international scrutiny, where dark and ghoulish things could occur,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
John Kellerman, 52, a patient advocate on Maryland?s stem cell commission, said he was saddened by the veto. “It?s robbed me of my middle age,” said Kellerman, who takes medication every two hours and has had brain surgery twice to treat Parkinson?s disease.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
