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Heineman too restrictive on stem cells

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Thursday, Jul 13, 2006 - 12:12:16 am CDT

It was disappointing to learn that Gov. Dave Heineman has a stem-cell litmus test for anyone interested in replacing David Hergert on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

Only those who agree with Heineman’s position need apply.

Heineman believes embryonic stem cell research should be limited to the existing stem cell lines that have been approved for federally funded research by President Bush.

When Bush established the policy, in his first term, it was believed that about 70 stem cell lines were viable for research. Since then, only about a third of the lines have proven usable.

Proponents of embryonic stem-cell research believe the cells have potential to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

Research into the possibility of using embryonic stem cells is being conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center using the approved stem-cell lines.

Some states, however, have been more farsighted in their approach. California voters in 2004 approved $3 billion in spending for stem cell research — without the limits under federal policy. The proposition makes available about $300 million a year. The major investment ensures that the state will become a prime center for stem-cell biology.

There are more than 400,000 embryos at fertility clinics that either will be destroyed or kept frozen indefinitely but could be used for stem-cell research.

Stem-cell research has driven a wedge between pro-life advocates. One prime example is Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., a transplant surgeon who announced last year that he would back expanded funding for research.

“I am pro-life. I believe human life begins at conception. I also believe that embryonic stem-cell research should be encouraged and supported,” First said.

A bill for expanded research has passed the House, and debate is expected to begin next week in the Senate. Senate leaders, however, admit they may not have enough votes to overturn Bush’s threatened veto.

Polls show that two-thirds of American generally favor embryonic stem-cell research.

By announcing that his appointee would be required to agree with his position on stem-cell research, Heineman limited the pool of candidates from which he can choose. And Heineman’s criterion also lessens the likelihood that research could be expanded at UNMC if the federal policy also were expanded.

The promise of stem-cell research was shown last month when scientists at Johns Hopkins University announced they had used stem cells to restore the ability to walk in paralyzed rats.

UNMC should be a full partner in this exciting field of research. It’s shortsighted for Heineman to rule out any candidate who wants to pursue ethical expanded embryonic research that may save and enhance lives.


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ShackledUniversity? wrote on July 13, 2006 12:47 am:
" Is the governor ignoring umbilical cord blood-derived and adult-derived stem cell products in a capricious and arrogant display of 'failed intelligence'? Our University could be competitive if allowed to work with the same tools as other leading research labs. Stiffling or being an obstructionist may keep undue restrictions on how science moves ahead. "

 c.h. wrote on July 13, 2006 5:56 am:
" Considering the cruelness of the diseases that stem-cell research has the very real probability of curing, and curing soon (as opposed to the oft' promised 'someday' in other research) it is nothing short of barbaric not to support stem cell research. To deny those suffering people the chance at a cure so close they can almost see it, is nothing short of sadistic. I've often noted that it seems California cares more about the welfare of it's people, ALL it's people, than Nebraskans do. That's why the phrase 'Nebraska Values' makes me cringe. Apparently,we do not 'value' our people enough to insist they get the same consideration as the people in other states and countries. It galls me that europe is so much farther ahead of us in this field,not because they are smarter, but because they haven,t had their research hampered at every turn by politicians. WE HAVE TO STOP THIS!!! "

 Judy Cantrell wrote on July 13, 2006 7:03 am:
" With such backward thinking, no wonder Nebraska is 50th in economic development. "

 ed wrote on July 13, 2006 7:09 am:
" I see our appointed Governor is going to use his right wing Repunlican-Christian point of view to hurt University research so he can gain points for the fall election. The right is right for the old football coach to be on the ballot this fall, write in Tom Osborn. "

 eddie wrote on July 13, 2006 7:19 am:
" Why stop with killing human beings who are less than 14 days old as occurs in embryonic stem cell research. Science could probably grow whole hearts, livers and other organs if we waited for the pre-born human to be six months old instead of 14 days old to kill them and harvest their body parts. Come on LJS use your reason. If the end justifies the means, why stop with embryonic stem cell research. Although it is difficult to understand what point ShackledUniversity is trying to make, nowhere in the article does it say the Governor opposes adult and umbilical cord derived stem cells for research. c.h. also equates embryonic stem cell research and adult stem cell research. They are not the same and do not represent the same ethical and moral issues. "

 Allan wrote on July 13, 2006 8:42 am:
" This is another of the governor's divisive patterns. We need a governor who can unite us--all of us, urban and rural, all faiths, all Nebraskans, so that we can confront the challenges of the 21st century. Dave Heineman is not that person--we need a leader not a politician. "

 DumbGov wrote on July 13, 2006 9:08 am:
" You don't have to kill human embryos to expamd the stem cell inventory...this is a myth or lie. One reader pointed to recovery from umbilical cords. Whether intnentional or not, misinformation and policy based on inaccurate information is not the way the stae should be conducting business. Isn't it time we depart from this fear based style of control of Nebraska? "

 ContentIntegrity wrote on July 13, 2006 9:26 am:
" The opinion piece does not suggest killing, it does point out the limited stem cell lines and failure of the governor to move beyond the 70 lines. The information NOT found to the content of the opinion is and conjured from extremists is, "Science could probably grow whole hearts, livers and other organs if we waited for the pre-born human to be six months old instead of 14 days old to kill them and harvest their body parts. Come on LJS use your reason. " "

 Phil wrote on July 13, 2006 9:43 am:
" So... let's say that a cure for AIDS or Parkinson's or Alzheimer's is discovered, and the cure must be derived from embryonic stem cells. We will then no longer be talking about cast-aside extra frozen embryos. We will be talking about embryo factories, starting life and ending it in some mechanized pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. It is the ultimate slippery slope mixed together with Pandora's Box. It would be far better to have never lifted the lid on that box to see what's inside. Perhaps one day, it will be discovered that spine injuries could be cured by using stem cells derived from the spines of 4 month old fetus's. There are moral and ethical lines that should not be crossed. Hitler's scientists used this same logic, by experimenting on condemned Jews. There thinking was, why let a good opportunity go to waste when we might be doing so much good for humanity. It was a barbaric thought process then, just as it remains today. "

 WhyJohnnieCan'tRead wrote on July 13, 2006 9:52 am:
" We repect the long hours the governor puts into the job, but special need learners, even with the kindest heart,,,,may not be the dybamic type of informed leadership this state needs. Clones of the governor, without ability to research and understand complex issues may result in, "One University Left Behind '! And that translates into "thousands of students left behind"! "

 StemDiversity wrote on July 13, 2006 11:03 am:
" Gertrude Stein might have written, "A stem cell is a stem cell is a stem cell" Characteristics of a stem cell are a form that allows different sources to provide the same functional lines. Policy that restricts the number of stem cell lines neglects consideration of source. Policy can be immoral if it offers little or no hope for life, or supports prolonged agony and deterioration of quality of life. The polciy the governor supports may be both immoral and unethical as it lacks addressing the specifics of stem cell harvesting. "

 Julie wrote on July 13, 2006 11:08 am:
" How is this any more a litmus test than the Governor wanting to appoint someone who agrees with his general pro-life philosophy? Would the LJS attack him for that too? Opposition to expanded destructive embryonic stem cell research and human cloning has become a large part of being consistently pro-life and the Governor is simply saying he would like anyone he appoints to the Board of Regents to be in agreement with him on this issue. Let's face it; the only "pro-life" topic that will come before the Board of Regents is the unethical research issue. It makes perfect sense for the Governor to appoint someone who agrees with him. If you want to talk success with adult stem cell therapies as opposed to utter failure to produce any therapies using embryonic stem cells...that's a whole other editorial. "

 Sarah S. wrote on July 13, 2006 11:30 am:
" Maybe if more people ate more vegetables, exercised daily, and didn't sit in a computer chair 10 hours a day, then we wouldn't have so many degenerative disorders that need sci-fi cures. But no, we spend billions of dollars and devalue millions of unborn babies' just so we can bring comfort to people who suffer from illnesses brought on by their own irresponsible behaviors or the behaviors of their forbearers. Here's a cure for these people: live righteously and serve God! "

 Gary B wrote on July 13, 2006 11:34 am:
" Man, do any of you people even read the articles any more? From the comments like "ShackledUniversity?", "c.h.", and "DumbGov", it leads me to believe that too many readers see the headlines and just fly down to the comment section to spout their drivel. So, for the aforementioned commenters (notice I didn't say readers), I will directly quote the article, "Heineman believes embryonic stem cell research should be limited to the existing stem cell lines that have been approved for federally funded research by President Bush." Take a second...read it again. Okay, did you happen to notice EMBRYONIC in that sentence...nowhere did Heineman suggest restricting other forms of stem cell research...NOWHERE! What do you people expect? Do you expect Heineman to appoint someone who is at the opposite end of the ideological spectrum? Please! Would you expect someone who favors stem-cell research to appoint someone who opposes it? Use a little common sense here folks...you can be angry that your chosen politician is not in office, but you're barking up the wrong tree being angry at a politician who uses his position. "

 Nancy wrote on July 13, 2006 11:55 am:
" Sarah, the diseases that stem cells can reverse aren't "disorders brought on by their own irresponsible behaviors". No one's behaviors cause Transverse Myelitis, Parkinsons, Juvenile Diabetes, Alzheimers, Cancer and a host of accident caused disabilities. My husband ate his vegetables, exercised daily and didn't even use a computer, but became a paraplegic because of a illness NOT brought on by his own irresponsible behavior. He deserves a change to recover, just the same as Ronald Reagan or Christopher Reeve did. "

 JL wrote on July 13, 2006 12:02 pm:
" Sarah, I don't think too many cases of Parkinsons, Altzheimer's disease, or even spinal cord injuries are caused by not exercising or not eating vegetables. Those can cause obesity, maybe diabetes, but neither of those are conditions that anybody has said stem cell research would help- That statement was more than just a little ridiculous. "

 cancer survivor wrote on July 13, 2006 12:07 pm:
" I was and still am one of the healthiest people I know. But my faith in god didn't cure my cancer. Pharasuticals did. You can't put everything up to god. I guess had I died, you would have said it was god's will. "

 Voice of Reason wrote on July 13, 2006 12:16 pm:
" Sarah, how is althzeimer's disease and spinal cord injuries "illnessess brought on by their own irresponsible behaviors or the behaviors of their forbearers"? I respect your position that we should all be good christians, but I think you are closing your mind (like many others here) and don't see the benefits of some research into stem cells. This research is providing hope for injuries and illnesses that a few years ago had no hope of a cure. "

 Josh2 wrote on July 13, 2006 12:40 pm:
" In light of the President's original policy, Alan's comment should be revised to read: "This is another of the president's divisive patterns. We need a president who can unite us--all of us, urban and rural, all faiths, all Nebraskans, so that we can confront the challenges of the 21st century. George W. Bush is not that person--we need a leader not a politician." "

 FetalPigs? wrote on July 13, 2006 12:40 pm:
" Degenerative diseases should not be minimalized as their causes are more complex than Sarah S might suggest. No one is calling for disregard for human life, whether neonate ore embryo, the study of stem cell is in infancy. Flawed campaigns labelled some as "Degenerate Artists" and destroyed the creative spirit in Germany. Christians with free will exercise intellect and don't reduce it to flawed "Intelligent Design" campaigns. Can you find ignorance and lack of knowledge in some comments? Would in an omniscient God should inspire knowing...not supress knowledge. "

 c.h. wrote on July 13, 2006 12:51 pm:
" did she REALLY say 'eat more vegetables for your degenerative disorders'??? Talk obout devaluing the human suffering of others! Let them eat cake, Sarah. "

 Hajaba wrote on July 13, 2006 1:38 pm:
" Since restrictions on private research labs are different than those receiving federal funds, a polarization and bias to those with capital or economic advantage exists. That type of limitation on public institutions limits access to patents and potential revenue generation through discovery. Ever wondered how and why MIT, Harvard, CalTech and other leaders have economic clout? Without leadership and use of relevant academic intelligence, the governor maybe be caught in the Medival dilemma with the darkness of pessimists and ignorance veiling knowledge. Lets not allow those in our democracy to cover moral duty to life...liberty; from diseases...for the pursuit of happiness! "

 MD wrote on July 13, 2006 1:51 pm:
" Alzheimer's disease (AD) is becoming more common in developed nations as the population includes more and more older persons. There is no known cause for the disease. Parkinson's Disease is the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells Multple Sclerosis,(MS) is caused when a protein coating called myelin that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers becomes inflamed and is destroyed. In ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, (Lou Gehrig's) both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die. None of these are caused by a lack of vegetables or activity. All have a potential for significant improvement, or cure through advancements in stem-cell research. No matter your opinion, to disseminate false information about this serious of a subject, in a public forum is reprehensible. "

 kmk wrote on July 13, 2006 3:40 pm:
" I, too, am disappointed. So, disappointed in the Governor, that although I am a Republican, I will vote for Heineman's opponent in November. "

 diabetic wrote on July 13, 2006 4:25 pm:
" Life cannot result from a stem cell line alone, you need a womb. As a diabetic I feel that we should do everything possible to find a cure, including using stem cells. A stem cell alone will never become a human life. "

 patience? wrote on July 13, 2006 4:26 pm:
" This is what we must fear as much as degenerative disease: Sarah S. wrote on July 13, 2006 11:30 AM: "Maybe if more people ate more vegetables, exercised daily, and didn't sit in a computer chair 10 hours a day, then we wouldn't have so many degenerative disorders that need sci-fi cures. The public must not only read and write, it must have candidates who can reduce impoverished minds...... and foster cures...thanks doc! "

 Forget the Vegetables wrote on July 13, 2006 5:16 pm:
" Embryonic stem cells come from where? E m b r y o s. What is an embryo? Nearly the tiniest stage of a C h i l d. If you were hanging from a cliff, and the only way to save yourself was to step on the head of an innocent child who was also hanging on the cliff... would you sacrifice the child? From the attitudes I am reading here, many would. I would not. "

 RMM wrote on July 13, 2006 7:41 pm:
" The real issue that the gov. regents, legislature etc. have missed is affordable education. In 1981 I paid around $28.50 per credit at UNL, and graduated in 1987 (don't ask) when tuition was around $48.50. I graduated from UNO last May with a Masters Degree. While I haven't looked back at my last tuition bill to get the cost per credit as of the semester I graduated, UNO's undergraduate tuition is $146.00 per hour (Grad $182.00). NU's undergraduate tuition is $160.00 per hour (grad $211.00). My point is that the gov. regents need to focus on core values of the Nebraska University system which is education, and make it affordable for students to attend, not about a single "moral" issue (for those who believe it is). It's your vote, always remember that. I think the Gov's looking to follow Johanns and Montenez. "

 PeopleStem4More wrote on July 13, 2006 8:58 pm:
" Service of the people or dictating use of office? Democracy aborted is lowered to manipulation of process, and if voice of the people is lost, so is the integrity of democracy. "

 D.B. wrote on July 13, 2006 9:35 pm:
" Is there any chance of this NOT turning into an abortion debate? It's just not relevant. No-one is aborting fetuses for the purpose of acquiring stem-cells, nor have they ever. The dissection of human corpses used to be illegal. Medical students had to resort to grave robbing to learn about the human body. Thank goodness we've moved past those un-enlightened times! I pray we will do that now. "

 Hjalmer wrote on July 15, 2006 11:30 pm:
" Heineman is your typical Nebraska governor-an empty shell with only one principal--"What do I have to say to get elected?" What issue might ignite the passions of the morons in the Third District? Our latest coward in that office continues the proven approach toward leadership and has brought the predictable results. Low wages, out migration of our best young people, low economic growth, and routine periodic initiatives about every hot button issue from gays, to guns, to immigrants seem to be the regular agenda for this dead end state. Is there anyone out there with both the brains and spine to fight for bettering the lives of actual Nebraskans? "

 not the same wrote on July 17, 2006 11:46 pm:
" Stem cells provide scientists with a type of cell they CANNOT get from any other source. There are other kinds of cells that can serve some of the functions, but there is no perfect substitute. And I'm sorry, but a 14 day old wad of plasma is not a child. No more than sperm, or an egg. A man isn't a father just because he COULD be, and a fertilized egg is not a child just because it COULD be. Please feel free to refrain from accepting treatments derived from stem-cell research if you are ever sick, however don't deny others the chance. "

 Harry Luden wrote on July 19, 2006 8:20 am:
" I'm a Husker living out-of-state, and quite frankly embarassed about Nebraska's attitude on this subject based on the 18 July vote in the US Senate over HR 810. Both Hegle ,and Nelson pandered to the extreme religious right at the expense of the sick who could benefit from stem cell research. You guys in Nebraska are getting as bad as ignorant Kansans who want to turn the clock back to 15th century intolerant christianity . Shame on you and your representatives in Washington . "

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