Cloning, stem-cell research divide lawmakers

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By KEVIN O’HANLON / The Associated Press

Simmering on the back-burner for nearly a year, several bills dealing with cloning and stem-cell research promise to elicit tumult and acrimony in the coming session of the Nebraska Legislature, which starts Jan. 4.

One measure (LB437) introduced by Sen. Adrian Smith of Gering would ban reproductive cloning and the creating of embryos for stem-cell research using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer — more commonly referred to as therapeutic cloning.

A bill (LB580) by Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney, a physician, would ban reproductive cloning but allow for the creation of embryos for stem-cell research.

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In a pre-session survey of Nebraska’s 49 lawmakers, 20 said they supported Smith’s measure, while only 11 said they supported Johnson’s. Twelve lawmakers supported neither and five did not answer the question.

One lawmaker did not participate in the survey.

Twenty-three lawmakers said the state should encourage stem-cell research — but many said they would not support embryonic research. Four said all stem-cell research should be banned and 21 did not answer the question.

“I am not in support of allowing for the creation of embryos for stem cell research,” said Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk.

“Stem cell research is a complex science that lawmakers must carefully consider in light of the federal government’s stance on stem-cell research,” he said. “I do not favor research that ends one life in hopes of saving another.”

Human reproductive cloning, which has never been done successfully, is a practice rejected by virtually all researchers.

In cloning, genes from an adult cell are implanted into a human egg from which all the genetic material has been removed. The egg is then cultured into an embryo that, if implanted in a womb, would produce an offspring that would be a genetic duplicate of the cell donor.

The hope is that building-block stem cells in the embryos would be genetic matches capable of being transplanted into patients whose cells are damaged by disease.

Supporters of embryonic stem-cell research say it holds great promise for finding cures for many illnesses and spinal cord injuries.

Those who maintain that all human cloning must be banned argue that a cloned embryo is a human even before implantation in the womb, and to destroy it for research would be immoral.

Embryonic stem cells, which are formed in the first days after an egg is fertilized, are the building blocks for the numerous types of cells that form the bones, skin, flesh and organs of the human body. They can grow into any type of tissue in the body but lose that ability as they become specialized.

Stem cells taken from adults typically can grow only into the type of tissue surrounding them.

Research also is being done on stem cells from umbilical cords.

Scientists say embryonic cells have the potential to grow replacement organs or cure conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

But social conservatives including the Roman Catholic church oppose their use because the embryo is destroyed while extracting them.

A pending bill (LB750) by Sen. Mike Foley of Lincoln would ban using state money or state facilities for research involving the destruction of any human embryo, whether it was donated from an in vitro fertilization clinic, created under the somatic cell nuclear transfer method or acquired from stem cells obtained from abortions. Embryos are destroyed when stem cells are extracted.

Connecticut recently approved $100 million to promote stem cell research, and along with Massachusetts, California and New Jersey has a law encouraging embryonic stem-cell research, according to a review by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Johnson said his measure was inspired by the efforts of U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who is leading a push to ease the Bush administration’s restrictions on federal financing of embryonic stem-cell research.

Bush signed an executive order in August 2001 that limited federal help to financing stem-cell research on 78 embryonic stem-cell lines then in existence.

Johnson said his bill separates “human cloning from legitimate promising research.”

“Both forms of stem-cell research — embryonic and adult — should be encouraged,” Johnson said. “To say that only adult is needed is a religious, not a scientific opinion.”