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Mike Gianaris Meets Jack McCoy Exploring the Hows of Activist Politics at the Y 10 Questions for Bill Perkins Will Turnout Save Republicans Against the Democratic Tide? Grassroots in the Concrete City Living Wage Advocates Think Big Box Civil Court Action They Want the Job — And to Upgrade It: Lieutenant governor candidates get their marching orders Call for State Stem Cell Funding Grows Dismantling the Stonewall in Albany The Notepad: Bob Hardt The Blogosphere Next Door Poached Eggs and Rye Toast with Scott Stringer Where Are They Now? The Realignment of a Rising Star: Susan Molinari Imagemakers: Bill Lynch Elsewhere: Bus Rapid Transit Program on a Roll in Tinsel Town Wanted: Candidates Willing to Lose Making Hudson Yards Work for All Workers By Michael Fishman and William C. Thompson, Jr. Don’t Pity the Losers: Rosy lives await forcibly retired politicians By Alan Chartock
As president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, Dr. Gordon Keller is one of the world’s leading authorities in his field. But now, after seven at Mt. Sinai Medical School in Manhattan, has left to take a position in Canada.
Keller is relocating mainly to get back to his native Canada. But there is an added benefit: the Canadian government does not restrict funding for stem cells, as the American government does, meaning that scientists can use new groups of stem cells, or lines, without endangering their eligibility for government grants.
“Certainly the laws, the regulations are easier; there’s not the distinction between approved and unapproved lines,” said Keller. “So one can work with Canadian federal funds on lines that were not approved by the Bush administration.”
Many people are concerned that if New York does not start funding stem cell research, other scientists may go elsewhere, and not just to Canada. California, Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Massachusetts are all planning to put millions of dollars towards their own stem cell research.
“Apart from the scientific and humanitarian value of this research, biomedical research has enormous economic value.” – Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan)
“A state such as New York would have to come up with some resources, given that our neighboring states have,” said Keller. “If the state would kick in, I think it would allow people to stay here and do their work.”
Most scientists agree that embryonic stem cells could be used to replace damaged or defective cells to help treat diseases like Parkinson’s. Embryos are destroyed when stem cells are extracted from them, arousing concern from people who believe these embryos are human beings.
Currently, only 20 usable stem cell lines have been approved by the federal government. Though stem cell research can be conducted on non-approved lines, labs that use these lines are ineligible for often crucial National Institutes of Health grants.
President George W. Bush (R) used his first veto to block federal stem cell funding in July. But things are moving at the state level: California alone authorized the first $150 million of an eventual $3 billion. Connecticut will offer $100 million, and New Jersey proposed $380 million.
For the past four years, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) have sponsored legislation to fund stem cell research in New York which has passed easily in the Democratically controlled Assembly. The bill has died in the Republican-controlled Senate, and has been opposed by Gov. George Pataki (R).
Meanwhile, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) and State Senate Minority Leader David Paterson (D-Manhattan), who are running mates for governor and lieutenant governor, have proposed funding stem cell research with a $1 billion bond. They would also create a review board and ethics commission.
Republican nominee John Faso said he believes there must be strong ethical standards for research involving embryonic stem cells and that the state already carries more debt than taxpayers can afford.
State Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau), the chair of his chamber’s Health Committee, said he expects opposition to Spitzer’s plan in the Senate.
“Any statute that addresses embryonic stem cells is only going to complicate matters,” he said.
Stem cell advocates argue that there is an economic motivation to funding the research as well.
“Apart from the scientific and humanitarian value of this research, biomedical research has enormous economic value,” said Gottfried, adding that hospitals and universities have told him they are very concerned about researchers having to leave New York if it does not fund stem cell work.
Still, stem cell opponents remain skeptical.
“In theory, we could lag behind,” said Hannon, who was not aware of any states that had actually put together funding for stem cell research.
“What we have been as a Senate majority is pragmatic, progressive, middle of the road and very practical,” he added. “I think we will address stem cell research along the same lines.”