Health council lifts 'impediment' to stem-cell research

BYLINE: By Matt Murphy, mmurphy@lowellsun.com

BOSTON -- The state's Public Health Council took its first step yesterday toward lifting certain restrictions on stem-cell research imposed during former Gov. Mitt Romney's administration.

The proposed changes, now open for public comment, would scrap a regulation prohibiting the creation of a fertilized embryo for the purpose of conducting research.

Researchers and supporters of stem-cell research said the regulations not only restricted scientists' access to viable stem-cell lines, but undercut a law passed by the Legislature in 2005 governing stem-cell research.

"Our intent is to eliminate an impediment to the research, that stays in line with what the Legislature passed last year," said John Auerbach, the state's new commissioner of public health. "The researchers have told us that the language created a perceived impediment."

The restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research were put in place last August by the council, at the direction of Gov. Mitt Romney, who critics say was trying to burnish his conservative credentials in anticipation of a run for the White House.

The Legislature had previously removed the language from the original law, over Romney's objection.

Abortion opponents criticize the practice because it results in the destruction of a human embryo.

Gov. Deval Patrick, a supporter of stem-cell research, said last month he planned to ask the Public Health Council to revisit the policy.

Auerbach said he had not spoken directly with the governor about reversing the policy. The move to lift the stem-cell research restrictions, however, is the second example in the past week of Auerbach, and Patrick's administration, pushing forward with a more liberal health agenda than Romney's.

Auerbach announced on Tuesday that the Department of Public Health would not apply next year for $700,000 in federal abstinence-only education grants. Auerbach said yesterday that scientific studies show better results in preventing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease with a more comprehensive approach to health and sex education.