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'For The Benefit Of Mankind' report from N I H concluded that the S THIS ISSUE OF C&EN GOES TO PRESS, the Bush Administration is agoniz- research promises "a dazzling array" oftreating over a decision that could affect ments for ailments from heart disease to the future of medical research: whether to diabetes, according to the New York Times, use federal funding to cany out research on which obtained a copy of the report. stem cells obtained from human embryos. The President must make a decision, and Here is the background on this important to this end, he should listen to Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah). In a surcontroversy: On Aug. 25, prising announcement late 2000, the Clinton Adminislast month, Hatch—a deeptration lifted the moratorium ly religious Republican and put in place injanuary 1999 on longtime opponent of refederal funding to conduct search on stem cells from research on stem cells from embryos—said that he now human embryos. (However, a supports such research. It ban onusing federal fundingto took him two years of soulcreate human embryos "for searching, which involved research purposes" or for restudying the scientific and search that destroys an embryo religious issues. "The most remains in place. Thus, federal funding cannot be used to POTENTIAL Scanning pro-life position would be create stem cell lines, only to electron micrograph of to help people who suffer from these maladies," Hatch investigate their utility) cultured mammalian said in a Washington Post An enormous amount of embryonic stem cells. interview "That is far more effort and discussion went into the Clinton decision on stem cells. ethical than just abandoning or discarding The National Institutes of Health received these embryonic stem cells." Many scientists and doctors believe that more than 50,000 comments from members of Congress, patient advocacy groups, stem cell therapies will usher in a new era scientific societies, religious organizations, of medicine that will lead to healthier lives and private citizens. The institute for all ofus (see story by C&EN Senior Corresponded to the substance of hundreds respondent Stu Borman on page 43). These of comments and issued detailed guide- researchers do understand that every new lines to help ensure that NIH-funded advance in science and technology holds research in this area is conducted in an eth- the possibility that it will be abused. And ical and legal manner (http://wwwnih.gov/ that is why they support the existing NIH guidelines, which contain numerous safenews/stemcell/stemcellguidelines.htm). Later this month, the Bush Administra- guards to prevent abuse. For example, the tion will decide whether to keep the current guidelines make it clear that research may guidelines in effect, modify them, or reject only be conducted on very early stage them. Many religious and antiabortion embryos that are the result of in vitro fergroups want Bush to end all funding. Three tilization and are in excess of clinical need. If you have not read the NIH guidepowerful Republican House members last week urged him to end funding. Opponents lines, I urge you to do so. While they can of the research object to it because it never answer the religious questions, they involves human embryos. Research on any answer all of the other questions being stage of the human embryo is a violation of raised by opponents to this research. Prestheir religious convictions, and one must ident Bush should not abandon publicly respect these beliefs. Others argue that the funded stem cell research. Ifhe does, it will research should not be conducted because only be driven further into the commercial sector, where there is no public oversight, it can lead to abuses. no safeguards of any kind. "Stem cell On the other side, many scientists and doctors have urged President Bush to keep research facilitates life," Sen. Hatch told the current guidelines. In February, 80 the WashingonPost. "Why shouldn't we use Nobel Laureates, including many chemists, these cells for the benefit of mankind?" wrote to the President noting that "it would be tragic to waste this opportunity to pursue the work that could potentially alleviate human suffering." In addition, a draft Editor-in-chief
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