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Opponents of a state bill to allow regulated embryonic stem-cell research far outnumbered supporters at a committee hearing held June 22 in Legislative Hall.
Proponents of the bill triumphed, however, and a House committee released SB 80 in a 6-1 vote. Based on interviews with House members, House action on the measure appears likely before the legislative session ends June 30.
Emotions ran high, but the debate remained civil - even quiet - as both sides offered opinion on the controversial bill. Tears were shed on both sides, leading House Health and Human Development Chairwoman Rep. Pam Maier, R-Drummond Hill, to limit the time allowed each speaker and request they focus on the merits of the bill. Prime House sponsor Deborah Hudson, R-Fairthorne, sat front-and-center at the four-hour hearing, fielding clarification questions and arguments from both sides.
Under the tenets of SB 80, embryos that have been declared surplus and slated for destruction as medical waste could be used for research if the woman or couple who produced them volunteers permission for that use.
“This bill is being inaccurately presented as a near certain cure-all for serious human ailments. The implication seems to be that any who oppose this bill are opposing life-saving medical research,” said Harold Shira of the Delaware Family Foundation, one of the many opponents of the bill.
Shira asked that the committee defeat SB 80 and instead promote funding for adult stem-cell research. “The fact is we want to protect human life and promote adult stem-cell research,” he said.
Supporters of the bill, including Hudson and prime Senate sponsor Sen. Bob Venables, D-Laurel, disagree that research with adult stem cells, including cells derived from umbilical cords, offer sufficient promise for curing disease and healing victims of serious accidents.
“We believe the combination of adult stem-cell research and embryonic research is needed to yield promising cures. This is enabling legislation that regulates stem-cell research. It does not provide funding,” said Hudson.
“Adult stem cells have been used to treat at least 58 diseases, yet they have been effective in curing only one of the 15 leading causes of death,” said Hudson.
SB 80 would create professional oversight of legalized embryonic stem-cell research and create felony-level penalties and fines for selling embryos or reproductive cloning.
Judith Fetters, a member of the Delaware Citizens for Life, testified that the law crosses a moral boundary.
“Ethical dilemmas surrounding the creation and destruction of human life by technologists do not seem to concern the scientist or the doctor, but thinking people are concerned about the far-reaching consequences of unethical research,” said Fetters. “Our state lawmakers are being asked to redefine moral and ethical standards because the ends justify the means. They are being pressured to sanction questionable research under the guise of regulating it,” said Fetters.
Locally, elected representatives are divided. Rep. John Atkins, R-Millsboro, and Rep. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, are solidly against the measure and will vote no. “I know I have to meet my maker someday, and I could not have this on my conscience,” said Hocker.
Rep. Joe Booth, R-Georgetown, and Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, remain undecided, both stating they have received mixed input from their constituents.
In the vote releasing the bill to the full House, committee member Rep. Joe Miro, R-Foxfire, was the lone dissenting vote. While citing moral qualms with the bill, Miro also said the bill deserves longer debate.
“We individually and collectively need to protect human life. This bill makes human embryos a commodity,” said Miro.
SB 80, which passed in the state Senate last week, nearly mirrors a federal bill sponsored by Delaware’s U.S. Congressman Mike Castle. Castle is actively lobbying for the state bill. “Scientists have been studying adult stem cells for 35 years. Adult stem cells receive 10 times the funding,” said Castle.
“Adult stem cells are difficult to identify, isolate, purify and grow. Some simply do not exist for some tissues - such as insulin-producing cells in the case of type 1 diabetes,” said Castle.
Adult stem cells have been used in reparative treatments with various cancers and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and lupus, but have not proven successful in treating many other diseases. Castle and Hudson also agree that Delaware would benefit as a state to retain and promote world-class research centers.
“As the science progresses, some companies in the biotech industry may be interested in coming to Delaware,” Hudson said. “If that were to happen, we need to be ready and have in place the parameters that will guide such research in the most responsible and ethical manner.”
Delaware already houses one of the premiere facilities in the national biotechnology industry. Located in Newark, The Delaware Biotechnology Institute is a leader in the field of life sciences and genomic plant research. The institute works in partnership with state government, Delaware universities and businesses whose interests center on the life sciences.
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