Sens. Specter, Santorum Introduce Bill Requiring NIH To Research Methods Of Creating Embryonic Stem Cells Without Destroying Embryos

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 11 May 2006 - 1:00 PDT

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Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) on Friday announced they introduced a bill that would require NIH to research and fund methods of creating embryonic stem cell lines without destroying human embryos, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports (McCullough/Budoff, Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/6). The bill would authorize funding from fiscal year 2007 to FY 2009 for the agency to research stem cells "that have pluripotent or embryonic-like qualities," according to a Santorum release (Santorum release, 5/5). Pluripotent stem cells can "give rise to all types of tissues in the body" and thus have "tremendous potential to repair and regenerate tissues," according to the Inquirer (Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/6). The bill also contains a rule that the measure would not affect any regulations regarding embryonic stem cells, human cloning or any other research methods currently prohibited (Santorum release, 5/5). President Bush on Aug. 9, 2001, announced a policy that allows federal funding for embryonic stem cell research only when it uses stem cell lines created on or before that date (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/5). The bill also calls for research on adult stem cells that are "capable of producing all or almost all of the (body's) cell types."

Santorum, Specter Comments
Santorum, who previously has opposed embryonic stem cell research because it involves the destruction of human embryos, said "there is controversy" over whether the potential methods that would be researched under the bill would involve an embryo. However, Santorum speaking at a news conference with Specter at the University of Pennsylvania, said, "I feel comfortable, given all the conversations I have had with a number of bioethicists, that these are appropriate steps to take," adding that he supports the President's Council on Bioethics' May 2005 report on embryonic stem cell research alternatives. Specter, who supports embryonic stem cell research, said his priority remains obtaining Senate approval of the House-approved Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810/S 471), which would allow federal funding for research using stem cells derived from embryos originally created for fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients (Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/6). He also said, "Stem cell research has enormous potential to save lives, and I believe we ought to explore every avenue that we can" (AP/Centre Daily Times, 5/5).

Opinion Piece
The "competing sides" of the debate surrounding the use of human embryos in stem cell research might have found a "win-win option" in the Specter-Santorum proposed legislation, Robert George, a member of the President's Council on Bioethics, writes in a Philadelphia Inquirer opinion piece. Santorum and Specter have "united" to find a way stem cell research can move "forward full speed ahead ... in a way that is consistent with the consciences of most Americans," George writes. The two Pennsylvania Republicans "deserve praise for their willingness to work together to find a solution to the embryonic stem cell debate that honors both the claims of science and the consciences of those who cannot counterbalance the taking of embryonic human life in biomedical research," George writes, concluding, Santorum and Specter "have set an example of politicians working for the common good" (George, Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/9).

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