Proponents of H.R. 810, the bill to federally fund more embryonic stem cell research, made amazing claims in the Senate and House last week.
The statements were amazing not just because they want U.S. taxpayers to pay for research requiring destruction of human embryos. Or their claims that those embryos are only “left over.” Anyone who saw pictures of the snowflake babies at the White House can see that “unwanted” embryos need not be discarded or destroyed in research. According to a Rand report, only 2.8 percent of 400,000 frozen embryos are designated for research; the vast majority are wanted by parents for later use. Rand says those embryos could produce at most 275 new cell lines, far fewer than proponents claim, or say they need.
But possibly the most amazing part of the debate was how they addressed the science — and how they deviated from the facts. Some senators parroted the oft-heard complaint that human embryonic stem cell lines currently approved for federal funding are insufficient, because only 22 lines are eligible. Actually, all 78 approved lines are eligible for federal funding, but only 22 different lines are currently being grown and shipped to researchers. The argument continues that current lines are becoming unstable, and that their growth with mouse cells makes them unusable for potential future human therapies.
This contradicts a claim they make about the uniqueness of embryonic stem cells, that they can grow “indefinitely.” While any cell cultured long enough will show changes, standard laboratory practice freezes cell samples as a hedge against just such changes. It is inconceivable that those in charge of maintaining cells at National Institutes of Health would not follow good lab practices. NIH noted in 2004 that they had 3,500 samples of approved cells frozen and ready to ship. And fully half (39) of the original 78 have yet even to be thawed and grown for research use.
The myth that current lines are worthless for human treatments has been documented as false numerous times. The June 10, 2005, issue of Science cited studies showing the cells had no viral contamination, that mouse cell contamination could be removed, noting previous concerns were “overstated,” and that Geron Corp. intends to use the original approved lines in any potential human tests. Dr. James Thomson, who first successfully grew human ES cells, months ago published evidence that all contamination can be removed from the current, approved stem cell lines.
However, the most egregious misstatements were on the potential of embryonic versus adult stem cells. Proponents of embryonic stem cells repeatedly claim the cells are “unique,” the only “pluripotent” cells, meaning they can form most or all body tissues. Representative Diana DeGette, D-Colo., went so far as to claim that embryonic stem cells provide “the only research that has shown hope for millions of Americans.” This is patently false. Researchers from the United States and around the world have documented that adult stem cells from bone marrow, blood, placenta, umbilical cord blood and nasal tissue show this same remarkable flexibility, but without the tumors seen with embryonic stem cells.
Adult stem cells have already helped treat thousands of patients for at least 72 different diseases and conditions. This is not limited to replenishing marrow and blood, but extends to benefits seen by growth of new blood vessels (preventing amputation from gangrene), new corneas (restoring sight to blind patients) and preventing life-threatening problems for children with genetic diseases. Three-year-old Ryan Schneider, treated for cerebral palsy with cord blood stem cells, has no more symptoms, according to his mother, who met the president Wednesday. Keone Penn was treated for sickle-cell anemia. And a recently published study detailed improvements for seven spinal cord patients treated with their own nasal stem cells.
Scientists have achieved “permanent reversal of diabetes” in animals and now have FDA approval to begin patient treatments for juvenile diabetes. More than 200 people have had heart damage repaired using adult stem cells. As one cardiologist put it, “I think embryonic stem cells are going to fade in the rearview mirror of adult stem cells.”
We think President Bush was right to veto H.R. 810. But perhaps it’s time to leave behind debate over federal funding of embryonic stem cells, and put our resources where it will do patients the most good now — adult stem cells.
David Prentice, Ph.D. is Senior Fellow for Life Sciences at the Family Research Council, and Affiliated Scholar in Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown Medical School. David Christensen is Director of Congressional Affairs at the Family Research Council.
