Ore. lawmakers consider stem cell bill

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Supporters of embryonic stem cell research urged lawmakers to approve a bill that would help Oregon become a leader in a field that could lead to cures for cancer, diabetes and other diseases.

The bill before the House Health Care Committee would authorize Gov. Ted Kulongoski to appoint a group to seek private and public contributions to fund the research. Although the bill does not establish a firm funding source, proponents said Monday the measure is necessary to ensure that Oregon is a part of the growing biomedical industry.

'I think we, state legislators, have a moral imperative as policy makers to support ethical scientific research that helps people, especially those suffering from serious illness,' said Rep. Larry Galizio, D-Tigard, a chief sponsor of the bill. 'I think biomedical research -- especially regenerative research -- holds enormous economic promise.'

But opponents drew a distinction between embryonic stem cell research that requires a fertilized human egg and other types of stem cell research that use cell samples taken from umbilical cords or adults.

One opponent of the bill was Gary Snow, who was diagnosed with a fatal bone marrow disease early last year. After receiving a stem cell transplant from his brother, Snow's disease disappeared.

'We owe Gary's life not only to God, but to the adult stem cells that saved his life,' testified his wife, Gail Snow. 'With the success of adult stem cell transplant, we feel that it is morally wrong to create life just for the stem cells and then just to destroy it.'

But Don Wolf, a former stem cell researcher at Oregon Health & Science University said that embryonic stem cells are a critical tool for scientists developing therapeutic treatments.

'Embryonic stem cells are capable of differentiating into more different types of cells,' Wolf said. 'Adult stem cells are restricted in their developmental potential.'

Most researchers also believe that embryonic stem cells are easier to reproduce than adult stem cells.

In 2006, President Bush vetoed a bill that would have lifted federal funding restrictions for embryonic stem cell research, prompting some states to take action.

According to Galizio, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Illinois have adopted legislation that encourages embryonic stem cell research and all but Massachusetts have established publicly funded research programs.

In 2004, California voters passed a $3 billion ballot initiative for embryonic stem cell research that aims to make the state a global hub for the field.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.