Stem cell lines

[tavalon]

I'm wondering if a private company can circumvent the idiocy of our own government - i.e. start their own stem cell lines to be used for research around Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases? I mean, I would be happy to donate eggs to be fertilized and grown into stem cell lines. I suspect I'm not the only human in the world who would be willing to do that.

Basically, I'm wondering if there is a way for free enterprise to do an end run around our government? I am no expert in Stem cell lines or the research that comes from it but it seems like a valid question that might be answered by a few of our resident experts.

[oldgrowth]

1. Federally funded research

The bill expands the number of stem cell lines that are eligible for federally funded research. Currently, federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research permits only the use of stem cell lines derived before August 9, 2001 for federally funded research.
http://www.stemcellresearchfoundation.org/WhatsNew/July_2006.html#3
More info on world map
http://mbbnet.umn.edu/scmap.html

[Lasher]

2. Research in other countries holds promise

I believe private companies can pick this up and run with it in the USA, to bypass Junior's roadblocks. There is also some hope that individual states will stand in to play the role that the Federal government should be playing. California, for example, has already made a move in this direction.

Hostility of the Bush Administration and his complicit GOP Congress is not the only thing that's holding up research. The University of Wisconsin foundation holds several broad patents that cover nearly any use of human embryonic stem cells, and this is hindering research. If private companies play more of a role in stem cell research, this problem could be exacerbated. Since these patent restrictions apply only within the USA, moving research to other countries can solve both problems.

But I have a concern with this approach: Would it be like leasing pandas from China, when we seek to take advantage of stem cell research that has been developed in other countries - whether or not it has been done by private companies there?

[Tesla]

3. Most of the stem cell groups are leaving the US

Geron sent some of it's research to Roslin Institute in Scotland.
Hopefully they stay here.

Maybe everyone should invest in these companies and that would send a message
and help fund research.

Check out the help/hope they may give with their research.

http://www.geron.com/showpage.asp?code=prodst

[Lasher]

4. Singapore is working to support a favorable climate for research

Singapore has less regulatory restrictions, and is working to promote research. The British scientist who led the team that cloned the sheep named Dolly has moved there.

[SensibleAmerican]

12. Singapore is not pro-life

Weird ... I guess their authoritarianism in domestic security does not stem to lunancy on social issues.

[DanCa]

5. The right to lifers want to shut us down.

The republican party wants to shut us down. There's no such thing as private research with the wing nuts. Trust me they are using the federally funding thing as a smoke screen. There have been bills that want to outlaw egg donation by woman. There are trying to pass laws that would outlaw me renentry into the us if i seek a cure, in say England. Don't be fooled by the words federally funded. They want to shut us down.

[SoCalDem]

6. In the final analysis, the veto is meaningless

Research will still go on, BUT....

MORE scientists from the US will be moving to the UK & Germany & India & Japan & to other "normal" countries that DO sponsor scientific challenges..

the veto only means that the GOVERNMENT subsudies for the work will not be allowed..the work will go on..but not here..

[DanCa]

7. Unless you don't have the luxury time brings.(nt)

[SoCalDem]

8. The science WILL get done.. it just won't get done here

actually things might progress faster in countries that support, instead of constantly fight against progress.. My husband's diabetic, and I would LOVE a solution for him.. He;s tired of taking all those meds and sticking his fingers all the time :(

[DanCa]

9. Hugs for you and your hubby

we shall overcome...someday.

[SensibleAmerican]

11. I agree it will get done, but face it, the lack of American funding ...

will delay research.

Kennedy said it right. Whoever is elected in 2008 will sign this bill.

[SensibleAmerican]

10. Yes, they can

n/t