Emilie Schneider
For The Post
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President Barack Obama's removal of the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research could not have come at a better time for Ohio University junior Tommy Greene.
Greene's close family friend was diagnosed recently with Parkinson's disease.
The Bush administration had a war on science and it was a great first step
said Greene, who is studying public relations.
Stem cells are most commonly taken from embryos a couple days after fertilization, although some adult cells can be reprogrammed to behave like embryonic cells. Adult stem cells are taken from cell-producing tissues like bone marrow. Stem cells can constantly divide, creating what is called a stem cell line.
Stem cells have potential to become any kind of cell, said Allan Showalter, a professor in the plant biology and molecular and cellular biology programs, who teaches a class at OU on biotechnology and genetic engineering.
If a patient is suffering from heart disease, stem cells could be injected to repair the defective heart muscle, according to information provided by the Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit medical practice.
Stem cells can help a variety of medical conditions including Type 1 Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Embryonic stem cell research is controversial because some people believe it destroys human life.
I wish they were more willing to explore alternative options said Aisha Stern, a freshman studying journalism and history. There's too much proof that human life starts so early.
In 1995, Congress passed the Dickey Amendment, making it illegal to use federal funds for research involving the creation or destruction of human embryos.
The embryos used for stem cell research are frozen in fertility clinics and would be thrown away anyway, Showalter said.
In 2001, former President George W. Bush imposed a ban on stem cell research limiting federal funding to about 20 pre-existing stem cell lines created before August of that year.
President Obama's removal of the ban gives scientists the opportunity to create new stem cell lines, which will allow for more research and could translate into clinical trials.
Stem cell research is an expensive venture. Both New Jersey and Connecticut allocated money in their state budgets for stem cell research, totaling more than $100 million.
Removing the ban takes away political overtones, which is an important first step, said Douglas Kniss, professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at The Ohio State University Medical Center.
It will speed up the process for cutting-edge science in America that was hampered in the previous administration he said, adding that while there is concern about the morals and ethics of stem cell research, there is not much debate about its potential usefulness.
Advancements in stem cell research will give America a cutting edge and will help the country compete in the global market, said Mayor Paul Wiehl.
Before becoming mayor, Wiehl worked for 26 years in the field of molecular biology as a lab technician for OU.
It's an advantage to have good stem cell research because there's potential for tissue and organ replacement
he said. But it's not going to happen overnight. The potential is here
but there's a long way to go.
Greene said the removal of the ban could help find a cure for Parkinson's and other diseases.
It's a great way for the country to embrace new science
he said. We are advancing to the point where words like terminal won't be in our vocabulary.
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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