research using cells from human embryos received an important seal of approval this week. In a decision that Stanford biologist Paul Berg called "gutsy", the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBCC) recommended July 14 that the federal government should fund not only research on human embryonic stem cells, but also the production cultures- - stem cell even if it involves the destruction of human embryos. In an official notice, the panel says it will send the notice to President Clinton "very soon".
Embryonic cells are considered to have great potential as a possible source of tissue transplantation. NBAC, a group of 17 members appointed by the President, deliberated on ethical guidelines for their use for 9 months. It concluded that only "spare" embryos from fertility clinics - which would otherwise be discarded - should be used to create stem cell cultures, and only if the two full consent of donors. In addition, the government should set up a permanent monitoring committee set of ethics rules and enforce
Decisions -. Not yet published in written form - could have an impact on legislative debates later this year. Congress passed an amendment to a 1999 appropriations bill that prohibited the support of the United States for any research that could destroy an embryo. This change will end at the beginning of the new fiscal year in October, but lawmakers in the House are expected to renew the request in the draft Finance Act of the Department of Health and Human Services for 00. A hearing on this bill has been tentatively scheduled for July 21.
Representative Jay Dickey (R-AR), a vocal opponent of research on embryonic stem cells, said he will try to persuade his Capitol Hill colleagues to reject the findings of NBAC. "We believe that science must serve man, not that humans should serve science," says Dickey. It intends to help take this battle to court if necessary to prevent federal funding of research using cells derived from human embryos.
But Berg, a spokesman for the American Society for Cell Biology, said NBAC hammered a conservative position he hopes to make sense for both scientists and the public. He calls the recommendations NBAC to monitor the "heavy" field and "bureaucratic", but says they are reasonable if they reassure the public that this research will be guided by ethical principles.
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