March 6, 2006

Stem cell research in Georgia: science or politics?

By Senator Tim Golden

Having served in the Georgia legislature for 16 years, I have been asked to vote on literally thousands of bills and resolutions, very few of which, frankly, have been a matter of life and death. But the issue of initiating a program of stem cell research in Georgia, currently being debated in the state Senate, certainly qualifies.

I was proud to sign on as a co-sponsor of the “Search for the Cure Act,” introduced last month by Sen. David Adelman (D-Decatur).

Under SB 537, a tissue bank would be created at a Georgia university, where donated placental tissue, umbilical cord blood and unused embryos from fertility treatments would be stored. Donors would have to provide written consent, and medical researchers in Georgia would apply to use tissue and blood from the bank for research in regenerative medicine and life sciences, including stem cell research.

The bill also strictly prohibits human reproductive cloning and imposes strict criminal sanctions for those who break the law. It also prohibits institutions that conduct research from retaliating against employees whose religious beliefs conflict with such research.

This is a strong proposal with a serious objective: to combat the suffering caused by diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, macular degeneration and diabetes through stem cell research.  Embryonic stem cell research also holds promise for treatments for spinal cord injuries.  It is also good for business.  The “Search for the Cure Act” has the potential to make Georgia a leader in biomedical research. SB 537 was referred to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, where it has yet to receive a hearing.

Then, just last week, along comes SB 596, sponsored by Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), Chairman of Science & Technology Committee. SB 596 is a tricky proposal that appears to be written to appease certain special interests groups.  Incredibly, simply put, it would fine or worse,  put scientists in jail for conducting  research that is widely accepted and practiced throughout the nation and the world.

Many Republican leaders at the national level have at long last come to realize the lifesaving potential of therapeutic cloning and have embraced efforts to further its scope. Notably, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), whose “pro-life” credentials are unquestioned, have joined former First Lady Nancy Reagan and others in support of embryonic stem cell research. How long will it take Georgia Republicans to do the same?

SB 537 is widely supported in the scientific and academic communities, while SB 596 is widely opposed. These groups include Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Georgia Biomedical Partnership (representing 270 pharmaceutical, biotech and medical companies), Parkinson’s Disease and Diabetes Associations, Shepard Spinal Clinic and others. Those who were given the opportunity spoke against SB 596 at the committee hearing.

Perhaps my friend since grade school, Sarah Bartholomew of Valdosta states it best,

“I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when I was 11 years old … every day I deal with both abnormally low and high blood sugars … I dream of a cure … not only for myself but also for hundreds of thousands of Georgians who face similar tragedies with diabetes and other diseases that could be cured through further research.”

Please tell me Sarah’s dream of a cure is not being sacrificed by our leaders at the State Capitol.  Please tell me that political interests are not coming before the hopes of other diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients and their families.

Please tell me we’re not preventing our universities from taking a leading role in this potential lifesaving research.  Please tell me we’re not putting politics over policy - again.

Not on this issue.

• Sen. Tim Golden is Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and represents the 8th District in the State Senate. He is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Science & Technology Committee.