Democrats stage 2nd showdown over stem cells

updated 5:57 p.m. ET Jan. 8, 2007

WASHINGTON - Congress opens a second showdown with President Bush over embryonic stem cells this week, with Democrats now in charge and hoping to push through an expansion of taxpayer-funded research into the controversial cells.

At stake is whether cells that scientists consider the most promising will be the ones most used in the race to develop cures for dozens of diseases.

Complicating that question: There are different types of stem cells. Fetal stem cells found floating in amniotic fluid are the latest to make headlines, a finding cited by foes of the embryonic stem cell legislation that is certain to pass the House on Thursday.

“We don’t have to split the nation on this if we’ve got an alternative,” said Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., an obstetrician who opposes embryonic stem cell research because culling the cells from 5-day-old embryos destroys them.

“What we hope is that scientists will find ways to unlock the promise of stem cells without having to force people into the choice of claiming a human life in so doing,” White House spokesman Tony Snow said Monday, making clear the president hasn’t changed his stand since vetoing an identical bill to expand embryonic stem cell research just six months ago.

So why try again, when even supporters doubt they can override another veto? Polls show a majority of Americans support embryonic stem cell research, and Democrats say the public demanded action by casting ballots for stem cell supporters in the November election.

Focusing on preliminary “alternatives” like the amniotic stem cells won’t fool that public, added Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

“If we truly want to cure and treat diseases that afflict so many people in this country, our nation’s top scientists should be allowed to pursue stem cell research of all kinds, be it embryonic, adult or amniotic,” he said.

The scientific community stands firm that research, not ideology, must determine stem cells’ true promise — and that embryonic stem cells so far are backed by the most promising evidence that one day they might be used to grow replacements for damaged tissue. Examples include new insulin-producing cells for diabetics or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury.

“Let’s let the laboratories worldwide figure out which ones are the best for the task at hand, and that’s discovering treatments and cures for people who need them,” adds bioethicist Christopher Scott, who heads the Stanford Program on Stem Cells and Society.

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