Editor’s Commentary:  The Stem Cell Issue

            Since the first successful culture of human embryonic stem cells occurred by James Thompson and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin in 1998, the “stem cell issue” has been gaining significant momentum.  Hopefully it is no secret to our readership that the field of stem cells, which are derived from embryonic and non-embryonic autologous sources, holds a vast amount of promise for furthering scientific understanding of disease progression and human development, but likewise promises to continue to instigate debate and controversy when the destruction of human embryos are involved.  Over the past few weeks alone, there have been remarkable developments on a nationwide and international basis; significant enough to inspire us at LabToWallStreet to investigate what exactly is going on and what it means for the state of New York.

            Anyone watching the headlines during the month of May should be aware that hype regarding the “stem cell issue” is approaching a boiling point.  First, in the wake of excitement generated by California’s Proposition 71, the National Academy of Science published guidelines for embryonic stem cell research (and received a potentially inflammatory response from the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity).  Shortly thereafter, it was announced that San Francisco would be the headquarters for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine under Proposition 71, the first tangible progress step in the state’s efforts to award the $3 billion that was created through the November 2004 ballot initiative.  On 19 May, the international scientific community turned its attention to South Korea, where a group of scientists announced the successful development of eleven pluripotent human stem cell lines using somatic cell nuclear transfer and unfertilized human embryos.  While this news struck many as startling and revolutionary, there is no doubt that it was just a matter of time, and unfortunate that the announcement did not emanate from the USA.  Meanwhile, efforts are brewing within the US Congress to relieve or ease the ban previously placed on embryonic stem cell research by President Bush.  Most notable is H.R. 810, which would not only ease the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, but would also permit therapeutic cloning.  In addition, House Republicans Dennis Hastert and Tom DeLay expect that Bush will maintain his steadfast commitment to veto any bill allowing the creation of new embryonic stem cell lines, and have thus added language to encourage the harvesting of stem cells from umbilical cord blood.

            So what does this all mean for us, the practitioners of biotechnology in the state of New York?  While seemingly quite restrictive, Bush’s policy on the subject of embryonic stem cell research has created the opportunity for individual states to raise money to support the area, the most advanced example being the above referenced Proposition 71 in California.  The feature article in this issue explores the current endeavors (or, in reality, the lack thereof) presently under debate in New York, and is matched with commentary from other authors on the issue of stem cells.  We hope that you, our readers, will enjoy the latest installment of LabToWallStreet, and as always, we welcome your commentary on the “stem cell issue”.

            Don’t forget to join us for the next M2: Molecular Mixer event at Cacophony (117 e. 55^th St.), which will take place on 7 June 2005!